title: Spinal cord compression by B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma in a patient seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of the most common and frequently fatal of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome-defining illnesses, survival has improved significantly since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. Patients with spinal cord compression resulting from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma present with clinically acute or rapidly progressive neurologic deficits. The purpose of this case report is to present a case of a patient seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus with spinal cord compression due to B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 40-year-old Asian man, who was seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus, presented with progressive neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance images of his thoracic spine showed an epidural mass from T2 to T4, resulting in severe cord compression. Emergent surgical decompression and biopsy were performed, followed by palliative radiation therapy. The pathologic findings showed that the specimen was compatible with B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma. Palliative radiation therapy was performed; however, leptomeningeal seeding and pulmonary embolism led to his death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus presents with a rapidly progressive spinal tumor accompanying paraplegia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma should be considered, and surgical decompression should be weighed with respect to the patient's general condition and the subtype/prognosis of the lymphoma.
authors.forename: Jun-Yeong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul St, Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu 137-701 Seoul, South Korea. kyh@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Kee-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Min-Up
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yoon-Chung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*