Title | Atypical lymphoid cells in cerebrospinal fluid in acute Epstein Barr virus infection: a case report demonstrating a pitfall in cerebrospinal fluid cytology. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2008 |
Authors | Manucha V, Zhao F, Rodgers W |
Journal | Acta Cytol |
Volume | 52 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 334-6 |
Date Published | 2008 May-Jun |
ISSN | 0001-5547 |
Keywords | Adult, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Cytological Techniques, DNA, Viral, Epstein-Barr Virus Infections, Hepatomegaly, Humans, Leukemia, Large Granular Lymphocytic, Lymph Nodes, Lymphatic Diseases, Lymphocytes, Male, Pleural Effusion, Radiography, Splenectomy, Ultrasonography |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) continues to be important in the diagnosis of malignancies involving the leptomeninges. A well-recognized pitfall is overinterpretation of the presence of atypical lymphocytes that resemble malignant lymphoid cells in the CSF. A definite diagnosis is often difficult because of limited viability of cells and small sample size of CSF. CASE: A 25-year-old patient with a past history of treated large granular lymphocytic leukemia and presence of a predominant population of large, atypical lymphoid cells in the CSF, giving us the impression of involvement with large cell lymphoma. However, a timely call to the hematologist revealed that the serology was positive for acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. Flow cytometry of CSF confirmed polyclonal population of B-cells and T-cells. CONCLUSION: The presence of atypical cells in the CSF certainly warrants a detailed look at the patient's laboratory investigations and communication with the hematologist, because it may be the only specimen available for diagnosis on which therapy and prognosis is based. |
DOI | 10.1159/000325517 |
Alternate Journal | Acta Cytol |
PubMed ID | 18540300 |
Related Faculty:
William Rodgers, M.D., Ph.D.