Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case report

Abstract Background Primary pulmonary lymphoma is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is an exceptionally rare form of primary pulmonary lymphoma. The clinical presentation of primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is often nonspecific, an...

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Main Authors: Sunjie Li, Yige Huang, Linlin Wang, Jintao Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04973-7
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author Sunjie Li
Yige Huang
Linlin Wang
Jintao Zhou
author_facet Sunjie Li
Yige Huang
Linlin Wang
Jintao Zhou
author_sort Sunjie Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Primary pulmonary lymphoma is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is an exceptionally rare form of primary pulmonary lymphoma. The clinical presentation of primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is often nonspecific, and imaging findings lack pathognomonic features, leading to frequent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Case presentation An 81-year-old Chinese man presented with a 4-month history of pulmonary nodules and a 2-month history of cough and dyspnea. Initial empiric antibiotic therapy for suspected lung infection was ineffective. A chest computed tomography scan revealed multiple patchy and nodular opacities in both lungs. Bronchoscopy ruled out bacterial and fungal infections, leading to a diagnosis of organizing pneumonia. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids provided transient symptomatic improvement, followed by clinical deterioration. Upon admission to hospital, a percutaneous lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The patient was transferred to the hematology department and received rituximab combined with reduced dose cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone chemotherapy. Despite treatment, the patient’s clinical condition deteriorated, leading to eventual mortality owing to disease progression. Conclusion Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is a rare clinical condition with non-specific clinical manifestations, posing significant challenges for accurate and timely diagnosis. Early differentiation from other pulmonary conditions, such as organizing pneumonia, is critical to avoid delayed or inappropriate treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes. This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including histopathological confirmation, in patients with pulmonary lesions that do not respond as expected to empiric therapies on the basis of preliminary diagnoses.
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spelling doaj-art-df0d00bf3a074613a89295125e9ddaee2025-02-02T12:25:50ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-01-011911610.1186/s13256-024-04973-7Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case reportSunjie Li0Yige Huang1Linlin Wang2Jintao Zhou3Suzhou Medical College of Soochow UniversitySuzhou Medical College of Soochow UniversityDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Taicang Hospital Affiliated With Soochow UniversityDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Taicang Hospital Affiliated With Soochow UniversityAbstract Background Primary pulmonary lymphoma is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is an exceptionally rare form of primary pulmonary lymphoma. The clinical presentation of primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is often nonspecific, and imaging findings lack pathognomonic features, leading to frequent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Case presentation An 81-year-old Chinese man presented with a 4-month history of pulmonary nodules and a 2-month history of cough and dyspnea. Initial empiric antibiotic therapy for suspected lung infection was ineffective. A chest computed tomography scan revealed multiple patchy and nodular opacities in both lungs. Bronchoscopy ruled out bacterial and fungal infections, leading to a diagnosis of organizing pneumonia. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids provided transient symptomatic improvement, followed by clinical deterioration. Upon admission to hospital, a percutaneous lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The patient was transferred to the hematology department and received rituximab combined with reduced dose cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone chemotherapy. Despite treatment, the patient’s clinical condition deteriorated, leading to eventual mortality owing to disease progression. Conclusion Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma is a rare clinical condition with non-specific clinical manifestations, posing significant challenges for accurate and timely diagnosis. Early differentiation from other pulmonary conditions, such as organizing pneumonia, is critical to avoid delayed or inappropriate treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes. This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including histopathological confirmation, in patients with pulmonary lesions that do not respond as expected to empiric therapies on the basis of preliminary diagnoses.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04973-7Primary pulmonary lymphomaDiffuse large B cell lymphomaOrganizing pneumonia
spellingShingle Sunjie Li
Yige Huang
Linlin Wang
Jintao Zhou
Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Primary pulmonary lymphoma
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Organizing pneumonia
title Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case report
title_full Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case report
title_fullStr Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case report
title_short Primary pulmonary diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia: a case report
title_sort primary pulmonary diffuse large b cell lymphoma presenting with features of organizing pneumonia a case report
topic Primary pulmonary lymphoma
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Organizing pneumonia
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04973-7
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AT linlinwang primarypulmonarydiffuselargebcelllymphomapresentingwithfeaturesoforganizingpneumoniaacasereport
AT jintaozhou primarypulmonarydiffuselargebcelllymphomapresentingwithfeaturesoforganizingpneumoniaacasereport