Low-grade primary meningeal lymphoma: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Primary meningeal lymphoma is a rare occurrence. We present a case of an immunocompetent patient operated on for a fronto-parietal lesion similar to a meningioma, which the histological examination diagnosed as a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type lymphoma. She received no further post-operative treatment and after 36 months showed no evidence of disease. In a review of the literature, we identified 14 similar cases of MALT lymphoma pre-operatively diagnosed as meningioma. Recognition of this rare meningeal location of a lymphoma involving the central nervous system is useful for a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Primary Central Nervous System Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma-Case Report-

“…18) Only small numbers of CNS MALT lymphomas have been reported. 2,6,7,[11][12][13][15][16][17][18][19]21,22,[24][25][26][27][28]31,33) Most cases of CNS MALT lymphomas occur in middle-aged women in contrast to primary CNS lymphoma which has a slight male predilection, although no specific factors related to sex have been identified. Most patients with CNS MALT lymphoma in the cranium present with insidious onset of headaches, seizure, focal sensory disturbances, and CT/MR imaging findings of well-defined, intracranial, dural masses, which are diagnosed clinically as meningioma.…”

“…MALT lymphoma originating from meningeal tissue is rare, and only a handful of cases and small series have been described. 2,6,7,[11][12][13][15][16][17][18][19]21,22,[24][25][26][27][28]31,33) This subtype is distinct from other primary CNS lymphoma or metastatic CNS lymphoma that can have poor outcomes. Therefore, recognition of this rare subtype of CNS lymphoma is important.…”

Dural MALT Lymphoma with Disseminated Disease

“…Since the therapy for meningioma and dural lymphoma are different, several authors have stressed the importance of getting a tissue diagnosis before treatment of a dural lesion identified on MRI. 15,31,33,44 …”

Neurological complications of leukemia and lymphoma

“…A particular analogy does exist with epithelia at other sites of MALT lymphomas (Kumar et al, 1997;Abdullah et al, 2005;Menniti et al, 2005;Iwamoto et al, 2006;Jung et al, 2006). Presentation mimics meningioma closely, clinically as well as on MRI.…”