High incidence of primary cerebral lymphoma in tumor-induced central neurogenic hyperventilation

Arch Neurol. 1989 May;46(5):510-2. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1989.00520410044021.

Abstract

An awake patient presented with central neurogenic hyperventilation induced by a cerebral tumor. Corticosteroid therapy and brain irradiation while the patient was anesthetized and respiration controlled under pancuronium-induced respiratory paralysis were followed by tumor regression and resolution of hyperventilation. Recurrence of tumor 6 weeks later was not accompanied by recurrence of hyperventilation. Cytologic study of cerebrospinal fluid revealed B-cell lymphoma. This patient brings to 10 the number of cases recorded with tumor-induced central neurogenic hyperventilation. Five of the eight patients with known tumor histology had a primary cerebral lymphoma, a rare neoplasm that comprises only 1% of all intracranial neoplasms. The disproportionately high frequency of central neurogenic hyperventilation in patients with cerebral lymphoma has therapeutic implications that are briefly reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diaphragm / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperventilation / etiology*
  • Hyperventilation / physiopathology
  • Lymphoma / complications*
  • Lymphoma / physiopathology
  • Lymphoma / radiotherapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancuronium / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Pancuronium