Skip to main content
Log in

Primary central nervous system lymphoma imitates multiple sclerosis

  • Clinical Study
  • Published:
Journal of Neuro-Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) can be confused with multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients who present with neurological dysfunction, a non-enhancing periventricular lesion, and CSF pleocytosis. Administration of corticosteroid causes clinical improvement and regression of PCNSL in some patients which may be interpreted as a steroid-induced remission from an exacerbation of MS. Sustained clinical dependance upon corticosteroid is unusual in MS, and should lead to consideration of PCNSL. Repeat CSF examination and gadolinium-enhanced MRI scan obtained off corticosteroid should differentiate between the two diagnostic possibilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jiddane M, Nicoli F, Diaz P, Bergvall U, Vincentelli F, Hassoun J, Salamon G: Intracranial malignant lymphoma. J Neurosurg 65: 592–599, 1986

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hochberg FH, Miller DC: Primary central nervous system lymphoma. J Neurosurg 68: 835–853, 1988

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. DeAngelis LD, Yahalom J, Heinemann MH, Cirrincione C, Thaler HT, Krol G: Primary central nervous system lymphoma: Combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Neurology 40: 80–86, 1990

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Willoughby EW, Grochowski E, Li DKB, Oger J, Kastrukoff LF, Paty DW: Serial magnetic resonance scanning in multiple sclerosis: A second prospective study in relapsing patients. Ann Neurol 25: 43–49, 1989

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Singh A, Strobos RJ, Singh BM, Rothballer AB, Reddy V, Puljk S, Poon TP: Steroid-induced remissions in CNS lymphoma. Neurology 32: 1267–71, 1982

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Vaquero J, Martinez R, Rossi E, Lopez R: Primary cerebral lymphoma: the ‘ghost tumor’. J Neurosurg 60: 174–176, 1984

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gametchu B: Glucocorticoid receptor-like antigen in lymphoma cell membranes: Correlation to cell lysis. Science 236: 456–461, 1987

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ruff RL, Petito CK, Rawlinson DG: Primary cerebral lymphoma mimicking multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol 36: 598, 1979

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Schaumburg HH, Plank CR, Adams RD: The reticulum cell sarcoma-microglioma group of brain tumors. Brain 95: 199–212, 1972

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Levy DE: Transient CNS deficits: A common, benign syndrome in young adults. Neurology 38: 831–836, 1988

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Fazekas F, Chawluk JB, Alavi A, Hurtig HI, Zimmerman RA: MR signal abnormalities at 1.5 T in Alzheimer's dementia and normal aging. Amer J Neuro Radiol 8: 421–426, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  12. Fazekas F, Offenbacher H, Fuchs S, Schmidt R, Niederkorn K, Horner S, Lechner H: Criteria for an increased specificity of MRI interpretation in elderly subjects with suspected multiple sclerosis. Neurology 38: 1822–1825, 1988

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Eby NL, Grufferman S, Flannelly CM, Schold SC, Vogel FS, Burger PC: Increasing incidence of primary brain lymphoma in the US. Cancer 62: 2461–2465, 1988

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

DeAngelis, L.M. Primary central nervous system lymphoma imitates multiple sclerosis. J Neuro-Oncol 9, 177–181 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02427840

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02427840

Key words

Navigation