Russell Body Gastritis: An Unusual, Tumor-like Lesion of the Gastric Mucosa

Abstract

The case of an 80-year-old woman who presented with epigastric symptoms is reported. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy displayed Candida esophagitis and a localized swelling of the fundic mucosa. Histologic examination of the gastric biopsy showed a distinctive accumulation of numerous uniform plasma cells filled with so-called Russell bodies. On low-power view, the lesion resembled a neoplastic process due to the marked expansion of the lamina propria with distension of fundic glands. However, immunohistochemistry confirmed a polyclonal pattern of the plasma cells. This unusual reactive lesion of the gastric mucosa has only rarely been described and has been termed Russell body gastritis.

Russell Body Gastroesophagitis Concurrent With Barrett's Esophagus

“…In the esophagus, Russell body has been found in relation to longstanding gastroesophageal reflux disease. Russell body esophagitis has also been associated with Candida esophagitis in one report (14). Interestingly, the patient in our case also had a history of Candida esophagitis status post treatment.…”

“…Mott cells associated with inflammatory conditions are mostly polyclonal, but immunoglobulin light chain restriction has been reported in Russell body gastritis and duodenitis cases (13). Russell body gastritis can even present as a tumor like lesion (14). The morphology and infiltrating pattern of Mott cells can mimic gastric signet ring cell carcinoma on the biopsy, therefore it's important to be able to recognize this rare entity.…”

Genital lymphoplasmacellular mucositis with crystalline inclusions: a histomorphological variant not related to lymphoproliferative disorders

“…They are not usually found or mentioned in the cutaneous types [14,15], but in patients with plasma cell myeloma [16][17][18]. Moreover, intracytoplasmic crystals may also be found in reactive plasma cell infiltrates in patients with synovitis, conjunctivitis, osteoarthritis and gastrointestinal chronic inflammations [4,[19][20][21][22][23].…”

Genitale lymphoplasmazelluläre Mukositis mit kristallinen Einschlüssen: eine histomorphologische Variante, die nicht mit lymphoproliferativen Erkrankungen assoziiert ist

“…Bei kutanen Typen werden sie in der Regel nicht gefunden oder erwähnt [14,15], sehr wohl dagegen bei Patienten mit Plasmazellmye lom [16][17][18]. Darüber hinaus können intrazytoplasmati sche Kristalle auch in reaktiven Plasmazellinfiltraten bei Patienten mit Synovitis, Konjunktivitis, Osteoarthritis und chronischen gastrointestinalen Entzündungen auftre ten [4,[19][20][21][22][23].…”