Primary central nervous system (CNS) posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a very rare entity. Patients may respond to reduction of immunosuppression or other therapies, but the prognosis is still pessimistic.
Herein, we report a 40-year-old female with a history of renal transplantation developed brain masses 4 years ago. Although brain biopsy was performed, PTLD was underdiagnosed then. No relevant treatment was administered. However, the lesions resolved spontaneously. After 4 years, new lesion appeared in a different brain region.
The history of renal transplantation raised the suspicion of PTLD. Reexamination of previous brain sections confirmed the diagnosis of polymorphic PTLD (P-PTLD). A second biopsy of the new lesion also demonstrated P-PTLD.
She was referred to hematology department to receive rituximab.
After 4 rounds of treatment, the lesion resolved satisfactorily.
This case demonstrates the natural history of primary CNS P-PTLD. Although self-remission and recurrence is possible, aggressive measures should be taken to this condition.
About The Expert
Rupan Gao
Yue Zhang
Gong Chen
Abhijeet Kumar Bhekharee
Zunguo Du
Shuguang Chu
References
PubMed