title: Multiple cerebral infarcts and intravascular central nervous system lymphoma: a rare but potentially treatable association.
abstract: Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by massive intravascular growth of lymphoma cells with a predilection for the central nervous system (CNS). Diagnosis is generally delayed by variable clinical presentation and nonspecific laboratory findings. Brain biopsy is the gold standard diagnostic test. Prognosis is poor with a high mortality rate. We report a case of "in vivo" diagnosis of IVLBCL presenting with rapidly progressive encephalopathy secondary to multiple cerebral infarcts. This case highlights IVLBCL as a possible cause of unexplained multifocal and recurrent strokes. Earlier diagnosis and consequent earlier treatment may be associated with better prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal. Caticruto@gmail.com
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cruto
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taipa
authors.forename: Cecília
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melo-Pires
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correia
mesh_terms: D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome