Massive swelling of the cervical region: an uncommon manifestation of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008 Dec;12(4):205-8. doi: 10.1007/s10006-008-0128-2.

Abstract

Case report: We report about a 61-year-old woman who attended our Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery complaining about an increasing swelling of her neck over a period of several years and asking for possible plastic surgery options. Further examinations lead us to the diagnosis of an uncommon manifestation of chronic B cell lymphoma. We suggest that plastic surgeons may refer to magnetic resonance tomography imaging and blood cell counts prior to liposuction of a massive swelling of the neck.

Discussion: Accurate reduction of adipose tissue in the obese patient is a common field for plastic surgeons. Thus, liposuction has become a standard regimen to treat adipose swelling. But there may be exceptions to the rule. In this case report, we present an uncommon manifestation of a chronic lymphocytic leukemia which showed a massive soft swelling of the whole neck, mimicking Madelung's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / pathology*
  • Adipose Tissue / surgery
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Lipectomy
  • Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical / diagnosis
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck / pathology*
  • Vidarabine / administration & dosage
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Vidarabine
  • fludarabine