B-Cell Malignant Lymphoma Presenting as Otitis Media and Mastoiditis Associated with Sinus Thrombosis

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis as a manifestation of paraneoplastic angitis and otitis media, revealing non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma (NHBL), is extremely rare. A 57-year-old woman presented with headache, auditory disturbance and recalcitrant otitis media. Magnetic resonance imaging showed brain edema in the temporal lobe and transverse sinus thrombosis. External drainage under antibiotic treatment was repeated based on a diagnosis of invasive otitis media and mastoiditis associated with infectious sinus thrombosis, but the condition deteriorated progressively. Open surgery for otitis media was performed 6 years after the initial symptoms and after a tumorous lesion had been detected in the middle ear. Pathological findings revealed NHBL. We report a rare case of NHBL presenting as otitis media and mastoiditis associated with sinus thrombosis, and a literature review.

Keywords

• Malignant lymphoma
• Otitis media
• Sinus thrombosis