title: Indication for random skin biopsy for the diagnosis of intravascular large B cell lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of random skin biopsy (RSB) to diagnose intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) has increased.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the indication for RSB to diagnose IVLBCL.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 18 Japanese adults who underwent RSB between January 2008 and December 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A final diagnosis of IVLBCL was returned in 2 patients based on RSB findings and in 1 based on brain biopsy findings. All 3 patients manifested neurological symptoms, hematocytopenia, elevated levels of LDH and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and the absence of lymphadenopathy. Malignant lymphoma other than IVLBCL was diagnosed in 6 patients, and in 5 of 6 patients who underwent nodal or parenchymal biopsy diagnostic findings were made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although RSB is useful for the early diagnosis of IVLBCL, careful selection of patients is necessary. In patients with neurological symptoms, hematocytopenia, elevated LDH and sIL-2R and no nodal involvement, RSB may be useful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan. higashiy@m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Higashi
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yonekura
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanzaki
authors.forename: Atae
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Utsunomiya
authors.forename: Takuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanekura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity