ORRT Journal

1. Introduction

Natural Killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma is a rare primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It can be divided into nasal, non-nasal, and aggressive NK leukemia/lymphoma subtypes [1]. Nasal NK/T cell lymphoma refers to malignancies originating in the nasopharyngeal area, causing destruction of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, orbits, and surrounding structures. Common presenting signs are midline mass with obstruction, nasal bleeding, and perforation of the hard palate [2]. This subtype is more common in Asia and South America and relatively rare in Western countries [3]. The average age of affected patients is 50-60 years old, and it occurs three times more in males than females [2]. Due to its rare incidence and deceiving presentation, it is often misdiagnosed as chronic sinusitis, granuloma, or fungal infection; thus, the final diagnosis and treatments can be delayed.

The majority of patients with nasal NK lymphoma are positive for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). In fact, EBV viral load has been used in disease staging [1]. Microscopically, nasal NK lymphoma is marked by aggressive angioinvasion in a background of CD3+ and CD56+ atypical lymphocytes and inflammatory cells [2]. The prognosis is relatively poor with a 5-year cumulative survival rate of approximately 40% [4]. CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone) is used concurrently with radiotherapy for stage 1 and 2, while chemotherapy alone is the mainstay of treatment for stages 3 and 4 [5]. Autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been considered in advanced disease with unclear prognostic benefits [5].

This report presents the first case of an elderly Caucasian female with NK lymphoma initially presenting as orbital cellulitis. Collection and evaluation of protected patient health information was HIPAA-compliant.

2. Case Presentation

A 92-year-old Caucasian female with history of hypothyroidism, glaucoma, migraines, cataracts, and hypertension was admitted to the hospital with a one-week history of right eye vision loss that was preceded by ipsilateral swelling and associated bilateral pain for four weeks.

Examination revealed an afferent pupillary defect and abduction deficit of right eye, partial ptosis and proptosis, no pain with ocular movements, and no drainage or significant swelling or abnormality on slit lamp exam. On dilated fundoscopic exam, optic nerve cup to disc ratios were 0.3 with sharp nerve margins bilaterally; macula, vessels, and peripheral retina appeared intact. Uncorrected visual acuities were hand motion on the right, and 20/30 on the left eye. Intraocular pressures were19 on the right, and 13 on the left. Lab results showed WBC 6.32, Hb 15.3, platelets 189, ESR 11, CRP 11.1. MRA revealed multifocal atherosclerosis with no aneurysm or occlusion. MRI demonstrated a right intra-orbital infiltrate along the medial wall with extension to the orbital apex causing optic nerve and medial rectus muscle impingement and complete opacification/consolidation of the right ethmoid air cells and sphenoid sinuses (Figure 1). Orbital cellulitis was suspected at this point. The patient was started on aggressive antibiotics and taken for sinus drainage and medial orbitotomy. Endoscopy observed semi solid and granular whitish material in ethmoid sinuses, extensive mucus in the sphenoid sinus, and no bony destruction. Several biopsies were taken of the sinus demonstrating inflamed stromawith mixed serous and mutinous glands, dense inflammatory infiltrate of acute and chronic inflammatory cells with areas of necrosis, rare eosinophils and benign respiratory epithelium. Cultures and special stains for bacteria and fungi were positive only for Propionibacteriumacne. The leading differential diagnosis at this point was chronic sinusitis with necrosis. Patient was discharged on rapid prednisone taper and 4 weeks of vancomycin/ceftriaxone/metronidazole.

The patient was readmitted 2 weeks later for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in the setting of a thrombocytopenia of 65000 and a persistent medial orbital mass. A new antibiotic regimen of doxycycline/metronidazole resulted in resolution of the thrombocytopenia. Antibiotics were later discontinued all together due to lack of ocular improvement. The patient was taken back to the operating room for a repeat biopsy due to a CT scan showing an enhancing mass involving the extraconal soft tissue paralleling the posterior ethmoid air cells, concerning for a possible neoplasm. Intraoperatively, the medial rectus appeared to be grayish in color concerning for muscle infarction. Final pathology noted a partial fibro vascular and fibro muscular necrosis containing only a few crushed lymphocytes and scattered acute inflammatory cells. Cultures continued to be negative. Flow cytometry was negative for lymphoma. No diagnostic evidence of malignancy or features of lymph proliferative disorder were indicated on histology. CT chest/abdomen/pelvis to rule out metastatic malignancy was only notable for a 1 cm pulmonary nodule in left lower lobe. Idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome labs showed mildly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP; negative RPR, ANA, c-ANCA and p-ANCA. Given these findings, the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis with orbital extension was still the leading diagnosis. The patient was discharged again on a steroid taper (Figure 2).

A month later, the patient presented for the third time after sustaining a fall with accompanying fever. On examination, complete ophthalmoplegia and complete ptosis of the right side with V1-V2 anesthesia consistent with orbital apex syndrome was identified. CT sinus showed that the orbital apex mass had increased in size and now involved the maxillary sinus and the contra lateralside (Figure 3). The patient also endorsed intermittent fever, night sweats, and 6 pounds of weight loss over the past month. She was transferred to a tertiary care facility for further workup. There, chest X-ray and CT head were again negative. She initially did well with medial wall orbital decompression and biopsy and was started on antifungal and antibiotics regimens, but subsequently developed altered mental status. Due to her deteriorating condition, the patient and family declined further interventions and instead opted for home palliative care. The biopsy results were positive for CD56 consistent with the diagnosis of NK lymphoma.

3. Discussion

Natural Killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma is a rare malignancy accounting for less than 1 percent of all lymphomas in North America and Europe [6]. The nasal type involves the nose and sinuses with possible orbital extension. Common presenting signs are midline mass with obstruction, nasal bleeding, and perforation of the hard palate [3]. Ocular manifestations are infrequently reported [7]. However, if orbital extension does occur, it may be the first sign of disease and present as orbital cellulitis that does not improve with adequate antibiotics [8]. Imaging may demonstrate bony destruction and a soft tissue mass invading surrounding structures [9]. However, these findings are nonspecific and can indicate systemic granulomatous disease or local tumors. Histologically, NKTL shows polymorphic inflammatory infiltration with angio destruction. However, in early stages, atypical cells are scarce and obscured by inflammatory cells recruited from tumor secreting cytokines, which can lead to a misdiagnosis of inflammatory processes and infection [10]. EBV, CD56, and CD3 are strongly associated with NKTL and have been used to define NKTL in published case series [11].

Our case demonstrates a rare presentation of NK/T lymphoma mimicking orbital cellulitis and chronic sinusitis. This 92-year-old Caucasian female patient was not part of the typical demographic which is a 50-year-old Asian male. There was no nasal obstruction, ulcer, or epistaxis as frequently described in literature. The patient’s slight improvement on antibiotics and steroid initially gave false reassurance of the diagnosis of cellulitis. Furthermore, over the course of 4 months, multiple tissue biopsies and flow cytometry performed specifically to rule out malignancy were negative.

Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion and have NKTL in their differential diagnoses in patients that appear to have persistent orbital cellulitis despite antibiotics, especially when orbital apex signs are present without significant pain. Initial negative immunohistochemistry and histology cannot be used to completely rule out this type of lymphoma due to a lack of sensitivity. Bony destruction in the context of what appears to be cellulitis or sinusitis should raise suspicion of malignancy and as in this case, multiple biopsies may be required to make the diagnosis.

4. Conflict of Interest and Source Funding

None declared

Figure 1: Abduction deficit, partial ptosis, and proptosis of the right eye (top: straight gaze, middle: left gaze, bottom: right gaze).

Figure 2: Retrobulbarextraconal mass along the medial orbit near the apex impinging on the right optic nerve, and consolidation in the ethmoid air cells and the sphenoid sinus.

Figure 3: Persistent pacification of sphenoid sinuses, right ethmoidal air cells with extension from medial orbit into the orbital apex (arrow). New involvement of maxillary and possible frontal sinuses.

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