Primary Pituitary EBV-associated NK/T-cell Lymphoma

Abstract

\n BackgroundPrimary pituitary NK-/T-cell lymphomas are extremely rare pathologies and there is only limited information about their clinical course, treatment and prognosis.Case presentationWe present a case of a 78-year-old patient with a sellar nodular mass. After onset of symptoms with productive cough, hoarseness, swallowing disorder and recurrent fever her condition rapidly deteriorated. Open biopsy through a right pterional approach was performed and histopathological evaluation revealed an EBV-associated NK/ T-cell lymphoma. High-dose corticosteroid therapy was initiated. However the patient passed away 37 days after admission due to respiratory insufficiency. ConclusionWe describe an unusual case of EBV-associated NK-/T-cell lymphoma of the CNS manifesting as a pituitary gland tumor. This particular entity presented with a pronounced aggressive local tumor growth with lethal outcome.