An unusual presentation of cerebellar lymphoma

J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Nov:57:177-180. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.08.022. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

Abstract

We report a case of a 40 year old female who presented with a three month history of headaches with a background of Myasthenia Gravis (MG), treated with azathioprine. MRI brain demonstrated a rim-enhancing lesion in the left posterior fossa. CT scan of the chest abdomen and pelvis revealed no other lesion. The patient was taken for resection of the lesion via left retrosigmoid approach. Histologically the neoplasm was a large B-cell lymphoma, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive, with clonality confirmed by IGH gene rearrangement studies. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of primary central nervous system (CNS) EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the posterior fossa in a patient with MG treated with azathioprine.

Keywords: Cerebellum; Epstein-Barr virus; Lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Azathioprine / adverse effects
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / virology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / diagnosis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / etiology*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / virology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azathioprine