Angiotropic large cell lymphoma presenting as fever of unknown origin.
BACKGROUND
Fever has never before been described as the chief complaint and major finding in angiotropic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). ALCL is a rare and usually fatal intravascular tumor characterized by a widespread proliferation of malignant mononuclear cells within vessels of small caliber, causing their blockage. The majority present as high-grade, B-cell lymphomas with a predilection for the central nervous system and the skin.


METHODS
We report a 61-year-old woman who presented with a fever of unknown origin (FUO) that lasted 9 weeks from onset to death. To our knowledge, this is the first case of ALCL to present solely as a FUO, and the second case of ALCL to be diagnosed by muscle biopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that this rare malignancy (ALCL) be considered in the differential diagnosis of FUO.
Kuvliev
E
E
Department of Medicine, Meridia Huron Hospital, East Cleveland, Ohio 44112, USA.
Glamour
T
T
Shekar
R
R
West
B C
BC
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D009383:Neoplasms, Vascular Tissue / Q000473:pathology*