[A case of intravascular malignant lymphomatosis presenting as slowly progressive paraplegia]

Brain Nerve. 2008 Feb;60(2):181-5.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We present a case of a 62-year-old female was admitted with complaints of slowly developing paraplegia ascending from the distal portions, and a 7-month history of recto-urinary dysfunction. T2-weighted magnetic resonanse imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord showed hyperintense lesions in the thoracic and sacral cord. Multiple sclerosis was assumed, and steroid pulse therapy was therefore administered: this temporarily improved the symptoms and imaging findings. However, the symptoms recurred in 2 months. The patient died after ineffective steroid therapy. Large B-cell lymphoma cells were identified on bone marrow biopsy. Macroscopic neuropathology revealed neoplastic cells in the blood vessels of the cauda equina. Paraplegia appeared to have developed slowly and in a non-stepwise manner, since the cauda equina has been gradually invaded by intravascular malignant lymphomatosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Cauda Equina / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / complications
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraplegia / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord / blood supply*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / complications
  • Vascular Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / pathology