title: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder presenting as epistaxis.
abstract: An unusual case of epistaxis resulting from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is described. A 30-year-old woman who had undergone renal transplantation 12 years previously presented with profuse, posterior, unilateral epistaxis. The initial findings, workup and treatment are presented. A post-nasal space (PNS) mass was detected and biopsy showed this to be an Epstein-Barr virus-positive polymorphous B-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Computed tomography findings showed a polypoid lesion protruding from the sphenoethmoidal recess and filling the left PNS. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is well known to involve tonsil tissue. Commonly, this is the first presentation of the disease in children. However, until now post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder has not been described in the PNS or nasal cavity presenting as epistaxis. We conclude that all transplant patients presenting with epistaxis should be followed up for an accurate examination of the PNS and nasal cavity after the acute episode.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant, Wales, UK. jonathan@clarke5143.freeserve.co.uk
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stock
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009296:Nasal Cavity