Lymphoma Nerve Infiltration

European Association of NeuroOncology Magazine 2014; 4 (2): 61-64

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Keywords: leukaemia,  lymphoma,  neurolymphomatosis,  NHL

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) denotes the invasion of cranial nerves, nerve roots, plexus, or nerves by Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or leukaemia. This occurs in the absence (primary NL) or presence (primary NL) of systemic NHL. Clinical patterns include a painful polyneuropathy or polyradiculopathy, cranial neuropathy, painless polyneuropathy, and peripheral mononeuropathy. Integration of clinical information, imaging findings, as well as histopathologic examination of involved nerves or non-neural tissue, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis are needed to establish the diagnosis. Timely recognition of the disease and its exact neuroanatomical extent is the basis for successful therapy using systemic chemotherapy and localized irradiation of bulky disease sites. More complex regimens are required when cerebrospinal fluid and systemic disease sites are affected.