Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma concomitant tuberculosis of spine in an elderly patient: A rare case report

Abstract

Introduction: A diverse category of lymphoid diseases known as non-lymphoma Hodgkin's (NHL) are defined by an aberrant clonal growth of B-cells, T-cells, or both. The occurrence of thoracolumbar spine NHL that concomitantly occur with bacterial infections such as spine tuberculosis is a rare event and requires clinicians' attention due to the lack of distinctive manifestations to distinguish from one another. Case of presentation: A 74-year-old male presented with chronic low back pain, inability to walk, and weight loss. The imaging findings were suggestive of spondylitis tuberculosis. Surgical procedures were performed, including anterior debridement, posterior decompression, and stabilization fusion, instrumented with intraoperative biopsy examination. The result later confirmed the presence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Conclusion: Because of the absence of clinical signs and the prevalence of perplexing resemblance with other diseases, the identification of main NHL of the thoracic spine spine is frequently neglected or postponed. Thorough examination of the histological findings and biopsy are important diagnostic modalities to differentiate between the two. Never overlook the fact that tuberculosis might appear as a variety of other diseases.

Keywords

• Lymphoma
• Tuberculosis
• Spine
• Rare case