Lymph node involvement by enteropathy-like indolent NK-cell proliferation

Virchows Arch. 2021 Jun;478(6):1197-1202. doi: 10.1007/s00428-020-02892-8. Epub 2020 Jul 21.

Abstract

Natural killer (NK)-cell enteropathy (NKCE) and lymphomatoid gastropathy (LG) are closely related lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) composed of mature and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative NK-cells. Although these uncommon and indolent lymphoid proliferations mostly arise within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as their designations implies, a few cases have been reported outside the GI tract. We hereby describe a unique case of lymph node infiltration by such EBV-negative NK-cell proliferation fortuitously found during routine examination of a gallbladder resected for biliary lithiasis. The histologic, phenotypic, and molecular features of this NK-cell proliferation, which were very similar if not identical to those previously reported in NKCE or LG, suggest that similar indolent EBV-negative NK-cell LPDs may also occasionally involve lymph nodes.

Keywords: Gallbladder; Gastrointestinal; Indolent NK-cell lymphoproliferative disorder; Lymph node; Lymphomatoid gastropathy; NK-cell enteropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Diseases / pathology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / diagnosis
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / virology
  • Male