Transformation of monocytoid B-cell lymphoma to large cell lymphoma associated with crystal-storing histiocytes

Crystal-Storing Histiocytosis: The Iceberg of More Serious Conditions

Crystal-storing histiocytosis is a rare condition that is histologically characterized by intracellular cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions. It usually presents monoclonal immunoglobulins that deposit within histiocytes, which accumulate and affect different organs of the human body and are commonly associated with lymphoproliferative conditions, especially those with plasmacytic differentiation. The prognosis of this condition is variable and related to the underlying clinical disease. In this review article, we aim to describe and discuss the clinical and pathological characteristics of crystal-storing histiocytosis based on the available literature and to provide a thorough differential diagnosis.

Generalized crystal-storing histiocytosis with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and monoclonal gammopathy in a Chinese elderly woman: a case report

BACKGROUND

Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare lesion characterized by sheets of crystal-laden non-neoplastic histiocytes. CSH shows a prominent association with lymphoproliferative disorders that express monoclonal immunoglobulins, mainly multiple myeloma (MM), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). However, no aggressive B cell lymphoma has been reported to be associated with CSH.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 74-year-old Chinese woman presented with multiple subcutaneous masses, abdominal pain, and fever. An IgM kappa type of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) was noted by immunofixation performed on the patient's serum. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed subcutaneous masses on the left upper arm and at the waist and multiple low-density lesions in the spleen. Microscopically, sections of subcutaneous masses revealed sheets of large polygonal and spindle cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, round to ovoid eccentric nuclei, reticulate chromatin, and median nucleoli. Massive needle-shaped crystals were confined to the cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, these crystal-containing cells were positive for CD68/PGM1, CD163, IgM, and Igκ. Meanwhile, the splenic tumour was diagnosed as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), non-germinal-centre B (non-GCB) subtype (Hans algorithm). Immunohistochemistry for IgM was positive in the cytoplasm of some neoplastic cells. Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement was detected by PCR analysis of the subcutaneous mass and the splenic tumour.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of generalized CSH with DLBCL and MG. Although the rarity of CSH and separate locations of CSH and lymphoma led to a diagnostic dilemma, the presence of MG was a clue to appreciate the relation between CSH and DLBCL. This case stressed a full investigation into the underlying lymphoproliferative disorder for integrated diagnosis and correct treatments.

Massive generalized crystal-storing histiocytosis associated with extracellular crystalline nephropathy: clinical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies of a unique disorder and review of the literature

Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare disorder characterized by the accumulation of nonneoplastic histiocytes containing intracytoplasmic crystallized immunoglobulins. In most cases, there is an associated underlying lymphoplasmacytic neoplasm expressing Ig kappa light chain. About 131 cases of CSH have been identified. There is a localized and a generalized form of CSH and it can involve several sites including bone marrow, lungs, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney. Generalized CSH is less frequent and involves multiple organs and tends to have a worst prognosis than localized CSH. Around 20 cases of renal involvement in CSH have been reported so far. Paraprotein-induced crystalline nephropathy can be divided into two categories based on whether the crystals in the kidney are intracellular (including light chain proximal tubulopathy with crystals and CSH) or extracellular (including the crystalline variant of myeloma cast nephropathy and crystalglobulin-induced nephropathy). The former tends to present with slowly worsening kidney dysfunction and generally has a good prognosis, whereas the latter usually presents with rapidly progressive renal failure and is associated with poor renal outcome. We present a case of generalized CSH associated with extracellular crystalline nephropathy with a fulminant and fatal clinical course. Kappa light-chain crystals were found exclusively extracellularly within the tubular lumen, not within the tubular epithelial cells nor the histiocytes, and the massive presence of those precipitates led to the acute renal failure. Consequently, we review the renal involvement in CSH in the literature and discuss the unique mechanism of renal injury in this case.

Crystal-Storing Histiocytosis Complicating Primary Pulmonary Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

Crystal-storing histiocytosis is an uncommon form of nonneoplastic histiocytic proliferation that in most patients complicates an underlying lymphoproliferative or plasma cell disorder. Lung is a common site of involvement in patients with localized disease. We present an illustrative example from a 54-year-old woman with an asymptomatic solitary lung nodule. The tumor was characterized by sheets of histiocytes with abundant cytoplasm expanded by distinctive eosinophilic inclusions. Focal necrosis was present. Aggregates of monocytoid lymphocytes and clusters of peribronchiolar plasma cells were overshadowed by the histiocytic infiltrate. Immunohistochemical stains showed CD68 staining in nonneoplastic histiocytes and CD20 staining in monocytoid lymphocytes. In situ hybridization studies showed κ light-chain restriction in plasma cells. These results, combined with the histologic findings, supported the diagnosis of crystal-storing histiocytosis complicating marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. We review the literature pertaining to pulmonary crystal-storing histiocytosis, highlighting the differential diagnosis for this rare phenomenon.

Crystal-storing histiocytosis: report of a case, review of the literature (80 cases) and a proposed classification

We report a case of crystal storing histiocytosis (CSH) of the upper lip and cheek in a 51-year-old woman and review the clinicopathologic features of 80 cases in the literature. These occurred in 41 men and 39 women with a respective mean age of 59 and 61 years (range 17-81 years). Forty-six patients (58%) had localized CSH, and, of these, 16 (35%) occurred in the head and neck, with the most common site being the eye/orbit. The remaining 34 patients (42%) had generalized CSH primarily involving bone marrow, liver, lymph nodes, spleen and/or kidney. Regardless of whether the CSH was localized or generalized, the vast majority of patients (90%) had an underlying lymphoproliferative or plasma cell disorder, especially multiple myeloma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. In 7 cases (8.8%), the CSH was associated with a variety of benign disorders, often with an inflammatory background, and no evidence of a clonal lymphoproliferative or plasma cell disorder. Treatment and prognosis varied according to the underlying disease. A classification of CSH based on etiology and/or associated disease and chemical composition of the crystal is proposed, rare non-immunoglobulin variants of CSH are discussed, and a differential diagnosis of other potentially confusing lesions is provided.

Primary extranodal soft-tissue B-cell lymphoma with abundant immunoglobulin inclusions mimicking adult rhabdomyoma: a case report

Introduction

Immunoglobulin inclusions are found in B-cell neoplasms as well as in crystal-storing histiocytosis associated with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. At times, the deposits may be so profound as to obscure the diagnosis and may even lead to misdiagnosis. We report one case of low-grade extranodal lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with abundant immunoglobulin inclusions and emphasize the need for immunophenotyping and molecular assay to make the right decision in diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of extranodal B-cell lymphoma with abundant intracellular immunoglobulin accumulation.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old Asian man from China presented with a 13-year history of a right shoulder mass with recent ongoing pain. A desmoplastic fibroma located in the posterior muscles of the neck was suggested by magnetic resonance imaging, and extended local excision was performed. A biopsy, however, revealed large, isolated rhabdoid cells in a diffuse pattern with mild atypia and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Clustered lymphoid cells were interspersed among these cells. The diagnosis was initially suggested to be adult rhabdomyoma. The final diagnosis of lymphoma was made after immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular studies.

Conclusion

We emphasize this histopathologic and immunohistochemical finding because of the potential for confusion with other tumors or disorders, such as adult rhabdomyoma or crystal-storing histiocytosis.

Crystal-storing Histiocytosis due to Massive Accumulation of Charcot-Leyden Crystals: A Unique Association Producing Colonic Polyposis in a 78-year-old Woman With Eosinophilic Colitis

Crystal-storing histiocytosis is a rare diagnosis that to date has only been associated with 2 conditions: intracytoplasmic accumulation of crystallized immunoglobulins in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders or plasma cell dyscrasias, and histiocytic accumulations of phagocytosed clofazimine, a drug used to treat lepromatous leprosy. We describe a 78-year-old woman with a past medical history of dermatologic mastocytosis and peripheral eosinophilia who presented with diarrhea and weight loss, and was found at colonoscopy to have polyposis limited to the right and transverse colon. She eventually underwent subtotal colectomy to remove the segment of polyposis. At gross examination, the colonic mucosa contained numerous polyps ranging from 1 to 7 mm which on histologic evaluation proved to represent mucosal and submucosal collections of histiocytes whose cytoplasm was distended by numerous brightly eosinophilic crystals. An intense eosinophilic infiltrate surrounded the histiocyte collections and also mildly involved the intervening colonic mucosa and superficial submucosa. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of intracytoplasmic material identical to Charcot-Leyden crystals within histiocytes, representing the breakdown products of degranulated eosinophils. This is the first reported case of crystal-storing histiocytosis produced by massive accumulation of Charcot-Leyden crystals in eosinophilic colitis.

Pulmonary extranodal marginal zone lymphoma with massive crystal storing histiocytosis

We present an incidentally discovered, unusual case of pulmonary bronchial mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma associated with massive crystal storing histiocytosis in a 69-year-old woman. The neoplastic process was masked by large numbers of epithelioid and spindled histiocytes containing crystalline material. Histochemical stains showed intracytoplasmic crystals and immunoperoxidase staining confirmed the histiocytic nature of the swollen cells. Electron microscopy demonstrated the characteristic appearance of immunoglobulin crystals. Lymphoepithelial lesions were identified on immunohistochemical staining, compounding suspicions of an underlying lymphoid neoplasm. Molecular studies later revealed a monoclonal B-cell population. The patient had no systemic evidence of a paraproteinemia. Crystal storing histiocytosis is a rare phenomenon in which macrophages accumulate light chain or immunoglobulin crystalline inclusions. The disease may be systemic, or localized as in this case. It is usually associated with the excess production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin, although there have been many case reports without this feature. An overview of crystal storing histiocytosis is given.

Light chain crystal deposition as a manifestation of plasma cell dyscrasias: the role of immunoelectron microscopy

Light chain crystal deposition disease is a rare and poorly characterized entity that can be confused with a number of different conditions, depending on where the disease process is manifested. The present study explored the role of ultrastructural immunogold labeling in the diagnosis of this condition. Seven cases of light chain crystal deposition (kappa light chain-related) are reported. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques play a rather limited role in the evaluation of these cases, as a result of the inability to detect monoclonal kappa light chains in association with the crystalline structures or high background staining. Ultrastructural labeling is the method of choice to fully characterize these cases. However, surgical pathologists must learn to recognize the findings associated with this condition to avoid misdiagnosis. If the diagnosis is at least suspected, then a complete hematologic workup may identify the underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. It must be emphasized that in some patients the plasma cell dyscrasia does not become clinically manifested until years after the diagnosis of light chain crystal deposition.

Pulmonary crystal-storing histiocytosis and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma associated with a fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma

Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare disorder occurring in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases, predominantly in cases of multiple myeloma and low-grade B-cell lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of pulmonary CSH have been reported in the English literature and one of them was associated with a low-grade B-cell lymphoma (immunocytoma). We document a case of a 59-year-old man with bilateral lung masses in which a right middle lobe pulmonary lobectomy specimen showed CSH associated with an extranodal marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma. A single nodule showing features of fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma was present in a wedge biopsy specimen from the left lung. Two nodules within the right middle lobe were composed of sheets of histiocytic cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm resembling striated muscle cells. In addition, there were nodular aggregates and a more diffuse infiltrate of small slightly atypical centrocyte-like lymphocytes, as well as bronchial lymphoepithelial lesions. Immunohistochemistry performed on paraffin-embedded sections demonstrated that the histiocytic cells were immunoreactive with the KP-1 (CD68) antibody while the lymphocytic infiltrate was CD20 positive, co-expressed for CD43, and was negative for CD3, CD5, and CD10. Genotypic analysis demonstrated the presence of an immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement, indicating the presence of a monoclonal B-cell population. These features were consistent with pulmonary CSH associated with extranodal marginal-zone lymphoma of baltoma type.

Intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin crystals in follicular lymphoma

We report a case of follicular lymphoma with crystal inclusions. Swollen lymph nodes taken from the left neck of a 53- year-old Japanese woman were replaced by follicular proliferation of atypical centroblastic and centrocytic cells with intracytoplasmic crystal inclusions. The crystals were confined to lymphoma cells and were not found in histiocytes. Lymphoma cells were positively immunostained with lambda light chain and mu heavy chain, but the crystals were only weakly so. In situ hybridization of light chains disclosed a monoclonal expression of lambda light chain mRNA in lymphoma cells. The crystals had a periodic linear substructure with about 5-nm intervals. The worldwide literature reports 8 cases, including the current case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with crystals confined to the neoplastic cells. The cases did not accompany paraproteinemia and crystal-storing histiocytosis and appear to follow a favorable clinical outcome.

Generalized crystal-storing histiocytosis associated with monoclonal gammopathy: molecular analysis of a disorder with rapid clinical course and review of the literature

Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare event in disorders associated with monoclonal gammopathy. The intracellular crystal formation is almost always accompanied by the expression of κ light chains. However, the exact mechanism for the storage has not been clarified until now. We report a case of generalized CSH in a 73-year-old man who presented with IgA κ paraproteinemia and paraproteinuria. The initially observed CSH in the bone marrow biopsy was associated with the clinical and pathomorphologic features of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. The progression of disease could not be affected by steroid therapy and the patient died of septic shock 7 months after detection of CSH. At the time of autopsy there was evidence for multiple myeloma and generalized CSH. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of liver tissue combined with immunoblotting revealed the massive storage of heavy chains of α type and light chains of κ type, each in a monoclonal pattern. Analysis of the stored κ light chain by nanoelectrospray-ionization mass spectrometry indicated that it belongs to the variable κI variability subgroup. We identified some unusual amino acid substitutions including Leu59, usually important for hydrophobic interactions within a protein, at a position where it has never been previously described in plasma cell disorders. In conclusion, we present the first case of CSH with molecular identification of the stored κ subgroup and detection of unusual amino acid substitutions. Our results suggest that conformational alterations induced by amino acid exchanges represent a crucial pathogenic factor in CSH.

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the lacrimal gland associated with crystal-storing histiocytosis

OBJECTIVE

Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a very rare immunoglobulin (Ig) deposition disorder that can be associated with B-cell neoplasms as well as some reactive Ig-secreting lymphoproliferative disorders. This article reports the clinical, histopathologic, and molecular biologic findings of CSH in association with an extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) of the lacrimal gland.

DESIGN

Interventional case report with clinicopathologic correlation.

INTERVENTION

Treatment consisted of conjunctival and orbital biopsies, as well as low-dose radiation of the left orbit.

METHODS

Histopathologic findings of the conjunctival and orbital biopsies were compared. Further, extensive immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Ig heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement, Gene Scan analysis, and DNA sequencing were performed on all tissues.

RESULTS

The tumor manifestations in the specimens demonstrated a similar morphologic and immunophenotypic characteristics consistent with the diagnosis of EMZL. Immunoglobulin H PCR and Gene Scan analysis showed B cells derived from the same clone. In association with the orbital EMZL were large accumulations histiocytes filled with refractile crystals, consistent with the diagnosis of CSH.

CONCLUSIONS

The current case describes an EMZL of the lacrimal gland appearing 5 years after excision and low-dose radiation of a conjunctival lymphoma. The orbital recurrence was associated with surrounding CSH, a rare Ig storage disorder more often reported in patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or immunocytoma. Ophthalmic pathologists should be aware of the diagnosis when reviewing orbital biopsies, because difficulties may arise when the crystal-storing macrophages occupy more tissue space than the Ig-secreting cells or when they resemble cell types such as rhabdomyoblasts.

Is there any significance for intracellular crystals in plasma cells from patients with monoclonal gammopathies?

Several plasma cells morphological changes have been described in monoclonal gammopathies, including intracytoplasmic crystals. We report one case of indolent kappa-chain multiple myeloma with renal insufficiency, featuring plasma cells with Auer-rod-like intracytoplasmic inclusions. The relationship between such aberrations and those found in multiple-myeloma-associated adult Fanconi syndrome is discussed. The significance of intracellular storage and crystallisation of immunoglobulin within plasma cells remains partially unknown.