Autopsy and Case Reports
https://www.autopsyandcasereports.org/article/doi/10.4322/acr.2012.020
Autopsy and Case Reports
Article / Autopsy Case Report

Burkitt lymphoma mimicking acute pancreatitis

Lívia Moscardi Bacchi; Ivan Ucella; Thiago Trolez Amancio; Marianne de Castro Gonçalves; Renata Bacic Palhares; Sheila Aparecida Coelho Siqueira

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Abstract

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive B cell lymphoma, presenting in extranodal sites or as an acute leukemia. Three clinical variants of BL are recognized: endemic BL, sporadic BL and immunodeficiency associated BL. Sporadic BL is seen worldwide, mainly in children and young adults involving the abdominal organs mostly the ileocaecal area. Pancreatic involvement is rare. The authors report a unique case of abdominal Burkitt lymphoma, initially diagnosed and treated as acute pancreatitis. Clinically, the patient presented severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging findings were suggestive of inflammatory involvement of the pancreas, heading treatment towards this hypothesis. Unfortunately, the patient died during the diagnostic work up, and the autopsy findings demonstrated advanced Burkitt lymphoma with extensive involvement of pancreatic parenchyma and other organs within the abdominal cavity. Once Burkitt lymphoma is a potentially curable disease, early diagnosis is crucial for better outcomes.

Keywords

Burkitt lymphoma, Pancreatitis, Autopsy, Lymphoma, B-Cell.

Publication date:
01/13/2016

5696969c64cc8b5cda711ba1 autopsy Articles
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