Lymphoma-induced polyradiculopathy in AIDS: two cases.

Abstract

Progressive polyradiculopathy is a rare, well-documented complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in man. It has been commonly attributed to a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. We report two HIV-infected patients with clinical and electrophysiological features of a unique, subacute, progressive polyradiculopathy. Post-mortem examination in case 1 disclosed an infiltration of the leptomeninges, the lumbar spinal cord, and the anterior and posterior roots by a B-cell immunoblastic lymphoma. Immunochemistry for HIV1 and CMV was negative in the peripheral and the central nervous system. Case 2 showed bone-marrow involvement by a Burkitt type lymphoma. Specific chemotherapy was followed by both clinical improvement of the polyradiculopathy and complete remission on a second bone-marrow biopsy. These findings may indicate that a lymphoma must also be considered a possible cause of polyradiculopathy in AIDS.

• Authors: J M Léger, D Hénin, L Bélec, B Mercier, L Cohen, P Bouche, J J Hauw, P Brunet
• Journal: Journal of neurology (J Neurol) Vol. 239 Issue 3 Pg. 132-4 (Mar 1992) ISSN: 0340-5354 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 1315382 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Back Pain (etiology)
• Bone Marrow (pathology)
• Burkitt Lymphoma (diagnosis, etiology)
• Cytomegalovirus Infections (diagnosis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Diplopia (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Lymphoma, AIDS-Related (complications)
• Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Immunoblastic (diagnosis, etiology)
• Male
• Meningeal Neoplasms (diagnosis, etiology)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Paraplegia (diagnosis, etiology)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (diagnosis, etiology)
• Spinal Nerve Roots (pathology)
• Urinary Incontinence (diagnosis, etiology)