[IgM kappa lymphoma with antisulfatide antibodies revealed by cervical motor neuropathy simulating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]

Lymphoma-associated dysimmune polyneuropathies

Lymphoma consists of a variety of malignancies of lymphocyte origin. A spectrum of clinical peripheral neuropathy syndromes with different disease mechanisms occurs in about 5% of lymphoma patients. There exists a complex inter-relationship between lymphoproliferative malignancies and autoimmunity. An imbalance in the regulation of the immune system presumably underlies various immune-mediated neuropathies in patients with lymphoma. This article reviews lymphoma and more-or-less well-defined dysimmune neuropathy subgroups that are caused by humoral and/or cell-mediated immune disease mechanisms directed against known or undetermined peripheral nerve antigens.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the cauda equina and ocular cranial nerves: case reports and literature review

Although rare, direct infiltration of the cauda equina by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) must be considered as a potential cause of subacute onset paraplegia. We present two cases of lymphomatous involvement of the cauda equina presenting with subacute paraplegia, each associated with a palsy of an oculomotor nerve. We highlight the need to use gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when investigating potential cauda equina lesions, since it is crucial in detecting and outlining the extent of disease. Differential diagnoses and treatment options for NHL involving the cauda equina are also discussed.