Angiotropic B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting with Progressive Dementia: An Autopsy Case and Review of the Literature in Japan

Abstract

We report an autopsy case of angiotropic lymphoma and review the literature in Japan. A 68-year-old female presented with transient right facial nerve palsy, right hemiplegia and progressive dementia. Laboratory studies showed raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and serum lactate dehydrogenase. Computed tomography of the brain did not show any abnormal density areas but on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging high signal areas were recognized at the basal ganglia. She was diagnosed as having dementia caused by cerebrovascular insufficiency. She soon developed a febrile state and died of respiratory failure within three months of presentation. Postmortem examination showed widespread angiotropic B-cell lymphoma. (Internal Medicine 34: 1134-1139, 1995). © 1995, The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. All rights reserved.