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Abstract Details

“Neurosyphilis Masquerading as Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Common Symptoms – Different Diseases”
Infectious Disease
Infectious Disease Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)
093

We aim to discuss coexistence of neurosyphilis and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), and role of CSF flow cytometry in differentiating these two entities.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a hematologic malignancy from a clonal expansion of B, T or natural killer (NK) cells and includes follicular lymphoma which arises from B cells.  Flow cytometry is useful in detecting malignant lymphocytes in the CSF. In this case, patient was initially thought to have CNS relapse of NHL but the predominance of T-cells with absent B-cells on CSF flow cytometry lead to further work up and an ultimate diagnosis of neurosyphilis

Case report.

54-year-old man with hypertension, chronic migraines and NHL (Follicular lymphoma s/p 6 sessions of chemotherapy) admitted for chronic meningitis manifested by subacute headaches, left cranial nerve (CN) 6 palsy and gait instability. Brain MRI  revealed leptomeningeal enhancement involving multiple CN’s and whole spine MRI   showed enhancement of the conus and cauda equina. CSF studies showed elevated white cells of 94 (78% lymphocytes), high total protein (516), low glucose (24) and negative cytology so leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from a CNS relapse of NHL was suspected. CSF flow cytometry later showed 60% lymphocytes (predominantly T cells), fewer NK cells and absent B cells which does not correlate with B cell lymphoma. Further investigation showed that patient had a typical syphilitic body rash (including palms) with skin biopsy revealing treponemal organisms, and positive serology (RPR 1:2, reactive serum/CSF fluorescent treponemal antibodies). Patient was diagnosed with neurosyphilis and  started on IV penicillin 24 million units daily, with significant clinical improvement and discharged home with 14 days of IV Penicillin .

Atypical features on CSF flow cytometry can be  helpful in yielding alternative diagnoses in patients with NHL. Clinicians should consider neurosyphilis in the differentials of chronic meningitis especially when flow cytometry is T cell predominant.

Authors/Disclosures
Chindo B. Mallum, MD (Union Associated Physicians clinic LLC)
PRESENTER
Dr. Mallum has nothing to disclose.
Ahmer Asif, MD Dr. Asif has nothing to disclose.
Maryum Shoukat, MD Dr. Shoukat has nothing to disclose.
Ahmad Al-Awwad, MD (University of Oklahoma) Dr. Al-Awwad has nothing to disclose.