[An unusual cause of pancytopenia: intravascular lymphoma].

Abstract

We report an observation of intravascular lymphoma occurring in a 69-year-old woman. This relatively rare disease presents polymorphic clinical features that render diagnosis difficult. Cutaneous and central nervous system signs and symptoms are frequently observed and should be recognized as suggestive of intravascular lymphoma. However, they are not always observed, in our case only pancytopenia was present. Pronostic is generally unfavorable but good response to chemotherapy has been described with early diagnosis. A large number of pathogenic hypotheses have been put forward: abnormality of cellular receptor, role of Epstein-Barr virus or transformation from lymphoma. Intravascular lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of pancytopenia to increase chances of good response.