Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2018 | Case report
Orbital T-cell lymphoma in youngest recorded patient – early diagnosis, management, and successful outcome: a case report and review of the literature
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2018
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Background
Primary orbital peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified is an exceedingly rare disorder with a very poor outcome, and to the best of our knowledge only a few cases have been reported in the English literature. We present the youngest reported case describing the successful outcome after management with a thorough review of the English literature of all the reported cases of primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified.
Case presentation
Our patient is a 3-year-old Syrian boy who presented with gradual progressive orbital swelling. A physical examination showed a left orbital dystopia and a superior medial displacement of the globe. Extraocular motility was limited in upward elevation of his left eye. A computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of his orbit showed a mass involving the lateral and inferior walls of his left orbit and extending intraconally. A diagnosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified was made by careful histopathological examination and Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster protocol was initiated. A 6-month follow up with orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed no sign of orbital or brain involvement.
Conclusions
Through this report we emphasize two takeaway lessons: (1) always have a high level of suspicion of this entity regardless of the age of the patient; and (2) careful histopathological examination is very important for prompt confirmation of the diagnosis and early commencement of proper treatment.