Introduction: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs) are a varied group of malignancy originating in the lymphatic system. As a subset of lymphomas, primary spinal epidural lymphomas are diagnosed when there are no other recognizable sites of lymphomas at the time of diagnosis. It mimics other spinal diseases making the diagnosis difficult to establish as well as in obtaining tissue diagnosis. We present an atypical case of a 45-year-old female who presented initially with back pain then eventual loss of sensory and motor function of the lower extremities, further work up showed primary spinal epidural NHL. Case: This is a case of a 45-year-old female with chief complaint of back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine showed nonspecific epidural soft tissue mass at T5 to T6 level compressing the spinal cord. Operative procedure was done with histopathology of the epidural lesion consistent of NHL. Immunohistochemical staining showed CD20 (+), thus a diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was made. Patient underwent six cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) regimen. Conclusion Signs and symptoms of primary spinal epidural NHL often overlaps its manifestations with other spinal diseases. A high index of clinical suspicion warrants inclusion of such neoplastic condition in determining the exact and definitive diagnosis of cases manifesting spinal compression.
Back Pain