Spinal primary central nervous system lymphoma: Case report and literature review

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2018 Source:Journal of Clinical Neuroscience Author(s): Li Feng, Dingbang Chen, Hongyan Zhou, Cunzhou Shen, Haiyan Wang, Xunsha Sun, Xiulin Liang, Ling Chen Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a very rare tumor of increasing incidence. It is often misdiagnosed due to the unspecific presentation or unavailable biopsy, and results in poor prognosis. PCNSL involved the spinal cord is extremely sparse. Here we report a gentleman presented with one-year history of progressive tremor in the left limbs and slight dysarthria as well as three-month history of paraparesis, tinnitus and insomnia. MR images disclosed the swollen cerebellum and cauda equine, with contrast enhancement in both meninges and nerve roots. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed extremely high protein level. Tubercular meningitis was considered and anti-tuberculosis therapy was given for weeks but without relief. With progressive deterioration, the PCNSL was eventually presumed according to positive CSF cytology and exclusion of systemic involvement. However, the patient passed away within days. We then reviewed the current diagnostic methods of PCNSL. The biopsy, as the gold standard for PCNSL diagnosis, is not eligible for all patients suspected PCNSL. The presurgical diagnostic algorithm of PCNSL has been fixed by clinicians and we suggest the early and repeated CSF cytology should be included for definitive diagnosis.
Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research