Recurrent Brachial Neuritis Attacks in Presentation of B-Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

We describe a 51-year-old woman who over 5 years had 9 painful monophasic attacks affecting the brachial plexus before a fascicular plexus biopsy diagnosed large B-cell lymphoma. The initial attacks were responsive to steroids with clinical resolution. At last attack, magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal T2 hyperintensities and nodular gadolinium enhancement in the right brachial plexus not seen previously. Also seen were similar changes in the thoracic spinal cord, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and brainstem. Positron emission tomography revealed marked hypermetabolic activity of the plexus facilitating targeted fascicular brachial plexus biopsy, making the pathological diagnosis. Neurolymphomatosis affecting the peripheral nervous system typically presents with insidious painful progressive infiltration of nerves, roots, or plexi. Recurrent idiopathic brachial neuritis attacks (ie, Parsonage-Turner syndrome) in contrast most commonly are seen in persons with a family history and a discoverable genetic cause by SEPT9 mutations, which tested negative in this patient. This case illustrates how neurolymphomatosis, which represents a malignant transformation of B cells within peripheral nerves, can sometimes present with paraneoplastic immune-responsive neuritis mimicking Parsonage-Turner syndrome. Recurrence, an immune-refractory course or insidious progressive involvement of the nervous system, should raise suspicion of neurolymphomatosis.