Illusion of stroke: intravascular lymphomatosis

Rev Neurol Dis. 2011;8(3-4):e107-13.

Abstract

We describe an unusual case of cerebral intravascular lymphomatosis wherein the patient presented with multiple embolic strokes predominantly in the posterior circulation. Using this case as an illustration, we review the literature of this malignancy, which consists of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. For patients with recurrent stroke-like events without cardiac risk factors, the accurate diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion by the neurologist and a brain biopsy specimen demonstrating lymphoma cells within the lumen of cerebral blood vessels. Intravascular lymphomatosis can be treated with systemic chemotherapies, but the response rate and pattern of relapse remain unknown.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Stroke / drug therapy
  • Stroke / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents