Intravascular Lymphoma as an Uncommon Cause of Anasarca

Abstract

Objectives: To report a case of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) in a Caucasian patient who presented with anasarca as his sole clinical sign. Material and Methods: A man presented with anasarca-type oedema and fatigue. After excluding heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism, AL-amyloidosis and adverse drug reaction which can all cause oedema, we turned our attention to capillary permeability disorders. Results: Closer review of the bone marrow aspirate demonstrated haemophagocytic histiocytosis, while core, renal and duodenal biopsies showed a B-cell IVL. Conclusion: The differential diagnosis of anasarca, a relatively common clinical sign, should include IVL although the diagnosis may still be challenging.

Keywords

• Anasarca edema
• hemophagocytosis
• Intravascular lymphoma.