Unique association of Waldenström macroglobulinemia with optic neuritis and monoclonal T cell expansion.

Abstract

Waldenström macroglobulinemia is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma characterized by production of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal protein. Commonly involved sites are the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS), in contrast, is referred to as Bing-Neel syndrome, and is an extremely rare phenomenon. Here, we present a unique case of Waldenström macroglobulinemia with optic neuritis accompanied by monoclonal expansion of T cells, which recovered after administration of CNS-targeting chemotherapy. Although the underlying causal relationships in this case remain obscure, aberrantly expanded T cells may have contributed to the development of optic neuritis, and we should be reminded that some types of cranial neuropathy in Waldenström macroglobulinemia may be reversible.

• Authors: Ken Morita, Akihide Yoshimi, Akiko Masuda, Motoshi Ichikawa, Yutaka Yatomi, Mineo Kurokawa
• Journal: International journal of hematology (Int J Hematol) Vol. 98 Issue 2 Pg. 247-9 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1865-3774 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 23743950 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Optic Nerve Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Optic Neuritis (drug therapy, pathology)
• T-Lymphocytes (pathology)
• Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (drug therapy, pathology)