Systemic Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Bilateral Orbital Vasculopathy

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019 Jan/Feb;35(1):e6-e8. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000001274.

Abstract

The authors report a case of a 58-year-old man with bilateral proptosis and signs of orbital inflammation without any associated systemic findings. MRI showed diffuse orbital infiltration. An intraconal orbital biopsy revealed polyclonal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and non-necrotizing lymphoid small-vessel vasculopathy. The orbital symptoms resolved following a 2-week course of oral prednisone. Three months later, the patient experienced abdominal pain and weight loss. Ultrasonographic investigation showed hepatosplenomegaly, a retroperitoneal mass, and inguinal lymphadenopathy. A lymph node biopsy revealed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient underwent chemotherapy but died 6 months later with metastatic disease. This case suggests that diffuse orbital inflammation with nonspecific vasculitis may be an early paraneoplastic finding associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Lymphadenopathy / diagnosis
  • Lymphadenopathy / etiology*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / complications
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbit / blood supply*
  • Orbital Diseases / diagnosis
  • Orbital Diseases / etiology*