A case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with cardiac involvement incidently diagnosed on cardiac imaging

Abstract

Cardiac lymphomas, either primary or secondary, are mostly of B-cell lineage; among which, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common. Secondary involvement of the heart is usually a late manifestation of disseminated lymphoma. Patients may be asymptomatic or may have non-specific symptoms, particularly when cardiac involvement is not extensive. A 22-year male patient presented with four months’ history of progressive enlargement of left cervical lymph nodes with intermittent fever along with dysphagia and left ear pain. Positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scan revealed abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in multiple systemic locations including inferior wall of the myocardium. Subsequently, cardiac MRI showed left ventricular posterolateral wall abnormal area of delayed enhancement, corresponding to the FDG uptake on PET CT scan. Patient had remission after completion of standard chemotherapy protocol for the management of DLBCL with acceptable toxicity.