Chemotherapy-Sensitive Myocardial Malignant Non-Hodgkinian Lymphoma

Cardiac malignant non-hodgkinian lymphoma, which is usually asymptomatic, is observed in 15 to 25 % of autopsy cases of this condition. The authors report an unusual case of myocardial lymphoma diagnosed during pulmonary oedema. Echocardiography showed left ventricular hypertrophy with increased echogenicity of the myocardial walls and marked decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction. Myocardial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a high grade malignant lymphoma. The disease responded to chemotherapy. Early diagnosis of myocardial involvement of a lymphoma, presenting with non-specific electrocardiographic changes, requires investigation by histological study of a myocardial biopsy. This invasive technique is justified because of its therapeutic implications.