title: Unusual presentation of B-cell lymphoma as a cutaneous abscess.
abstract: Cutaneous abscesses can result from many conditions and are primarily managed with incision, drainage and antibiotics, without the need for extensive diagnostic workup. We herein report a case of a B-cell lymphoma manifesting as an abscess on the back of a 67-year-old female. Standard therapies failed to improve her condition, and, by the time of tissue diagnosis, a greater than palm-sized necrotic ulcer eroding through skin and fat, and into the psoas muscle had developed. Primary or secondary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas almost never lead to tissue necrosis but should be entertained in cases of abscesses or ulcers with unusual presentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Boston University, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeltser
authors.forename: Aarti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.forename: Miguel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stadecker
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krejci-Papa
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D009336:Necrosis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000473:pathology