Primary sciatic nerve lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 77; no. 9; pp. 1087 - 1089
• Main Authors: Descamps, M J L, Barrett, L, Groves, M, Yung, L, Birch, R, Murray, N M F, Linch, D C, Lunn, M P T, Reilly, M M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.09.2006; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal - administration & dosage; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Chemotherapy; Humans; Injuries of the nervous system and the skull. Diseases due to physical agents; Literature reviews; Lymphoma; Lymphoma, B-Cell - drug therapy; Lymphoma, B-Cell - pathology; Male; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Neurology; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pain; Patients; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms - drug therapy; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms - pathology; Rituximab; Sarcoidosis; Sciatic Nerve - pathology; Short Report; Skin cancer; Tomography; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Treatment Outcome; Tumors of the nervous system. Phacomatoses; Case study; Nervous system diseases; Malignant hemopathy; Lymphoma; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; Sciatic nerve
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2006.087577

A patient with primary B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the sciatic nerve is described. He presented with neuropathic symptoms in the left leg, initially diagnosed as tarsal tunnel syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified the abnormality in the sciatic nerve. A fascicular biopsy of the sciatic nerve showed a diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody). Four months later he was in remission, and remains so 48 months from presentation. Primary lymphoma of single peripheral nerves may be a unique subtype of extranodal lymphoma, which usually follows an aggressive course and has a variable response to current therapeutic strategies. MRI is useful, alongside electrophysiological studies, in patients with atypical peripheral nerve symptoms.