Key result
A 55-year-old man with primary pulmonary anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting with acute atelectasis was successfully diagnosed via supraclavicular lymph node biopsy.
Case Report (n=1)
This case highlights the importance of rapidly locating alternative biopsy sites and using empirical steroid treatment when aggressive pulmonary lymphoma is suspected.
Supraclavicular biopsy may expedite diagnosis in rare pulmonary lymphoma presentations; leaves open broader applicability beyond this single case.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma only rarely occurs as a primary lung mass. We report a very rare case of primary pulmonary anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting with acute atelectasis in a 55-year-old man. Chest computed tomography revealed a consolidated central mass in the left lung with obstructive pneumonia that had developed into total atelectasis. After a bronchoscopic examination failed to yield a definite diagnosis, supraclavicular lymph node biopsy was performed, revealing an anaplastic large cell lymphoma. This case illustrates the need for rapidly locating a possible biopsy site, other than the primary lung mass itself, and the value of empirical steroid treatment for avoiding devastating exacerbation when aggressive pulmonary lymphoma is suspected.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Han et al. (2012) conducted a case report in Primary pulmonary anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n=1). Supraclavicular lymph node biopsy and empirical steroid treatment was evaluated on Diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma. A 55-year-old man with primary pulmonary anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting with acute atelectasis was successfully diagnosed via supraclavicular lymph node biopsy.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: