Intravascular Lymphomatosis Initially Suspected from Uterine Cytology

Background Because recognizable lesions are often absent, selection of biopsy sites for diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVL) is frequently problematic. Case A 59-year-old woman was admitted with fever and general fatigue. Combined physical and roerztgenographic examinations revealed neither lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly nor Mass lesions in other organs. Serum lactate dehydrogenase level was 1,412 IU/L. There were no genital symptoms, but uterine cytologic examination revealed large cells distributed in a noncohesive pattern. These cells had a large, irregularly shaped nucleus in which several nucleoli were discernible and showed positive immunoreactivity for leukocyte common antigen. Three months after admission, neurologic symptoms appeared, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple nodular lesions in, the brain. Biopsy specimens from the brain lesion showed the proliferation of large lymphoid cells filling the lumina of small vessels and Virchow-Robin's space. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells were positive for CD20 and CD79a but negative for CD3, indicative of IVL. Conclusion Uterine cytologic and/or histologic examinations could be the choice for diagnosis of IVL, even when genital symptoms are absent. (Acta Cytol 2009;53:198-200)