Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Frontal Sinus Presenting as a Pott Puffy Tumor: Case Report

Abstract

Objective Sinonasal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a very rare condition. NHL located specifically in the frontal sinus is even rarer with only 14 cases in the literature reported to date. A unique case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the frontal sinus that presented first and was treated as suspected Pott puffy tumor is presented along with a review of the literature.

Case Report A 69-year-old white man with a history of sinusitis and two recent endoscopic sinus surgeries presented with enlargement of his right forehead. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images revealed a dense opacification of the frontal sinus bilaterally, thickening and enhancement of the dura mater behind the right frontal sinus, and local osteomyelitis-like lytic bone changes. A bifrontal craniotomy was performed. Radical exoneration of the frontal sinus, copious antibiotic-impregnated irrigation after culture swabs, and resection of presumed granulation tissue was performed. Culture swabs remained negative, but histopathology revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Subsequent chemotherapy was administered.

Conclusion Sinonasal NHL is very rare but can occur in the frontal sinus and may present as a suspected Pott puffy tumor. A high clinical suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords

diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - frontal sinus - case report - Pott puffy tumor

Introduction

An estimated 79,030 men and women will be diagnosed with lymphoma in the United States in 2014. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) encompasses most of these diagnoses (69,740).[1] The incidence of sinonasal (nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses) NHL is estimated to be between 0.2% and 2% of all NHLs in the Western Hemisphere.[2] [3] A large study from 1987 to 1996 in Nottingham, United Kingdom, found 24 patients of 1,457 (1.63%) with sinonasal NHL, supporting this claim. Based on these estimates, we can expect between 140 and 1,400 cases of sinonasal NHL in the United States this year. Most sinonasal NHLs are of the large B-cell variety and located within the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus. Frontal sinus NHL is an extremely rare condition. An extensive review of the English-language literature revealed only eight case reports[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] and six cases in case series[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] of primary frontal sinus NHL for a total of 14 cases before this report.

Sinonasal lymphoma can present with a variety of nonspecific symptoms often leading to a late diagnosis and worsened prognosis. We share our experience with a unique case of a 69-year-old white man with frontal sinus NHL who was initially referred for treatment of a Pott puffy tumor.

Case Report

A 69-year-old white man presented with a chief complaint of “enlargement of his right forehead” and was referred by his primary care physician for the evaluation of a possible Pott puffy tumor. The referring doctor's working diagnosis of Pott puffy tumor was indeed supported by the patient's chief complaint of enlargement of his right forehead, associated headaches, dizziness, eye tenderness, nasal congestion with thick discharge as well as two endoscopic sinus surgeries for chronic sinusitis 2 months prior to this visit. His past medical history was significant for mild asthma, nephrolithiasis, and polymyositis. He had methotrexate therapy for his polymyositis 3 years ago for a total of 3 months. He had a surgical history significant for a cholecystectomy and a hernia repair. Laboratory evaluation, including a complete blood count and metabolic profile, were within normal limits.

A thorough physical examination was performed that revealed a 3 × 3-cm hard, immobile, and nontender mass on his right forehead. A funduscopic examination was within normal limits. Cranial nerves II to XII were found to be intact. No motor or sensory deficits were observed. There was no lymphadenopathy. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans of his head were performed that revealed dense opacification of the frontal sinus bilaterally with thickening of the dura mater behind the right frontal sinus and osteomyelitis-like lytic bone changes ([Fig. 1]). These clinical and radiologic findings further supported the working diagnosis of Pott puffy tumor.

Fig. 1 (A) Preoperative computed tomography scan of the head. (B) Axial T1 noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (C) Axial T1 contrast-enhanced MRI. (D) Axial T2 weighted MRI demonstrating right forehead swelling, frontal sinus opacification, brisk enhancement, and thickening of the dura behind the right frontal sinus and osteomyelitis-like changes.

The patient was advised to undergo surgery at this point, and a bifrontal craniotomy was performed by the senior author (K.A.). Radical exoneration of the frontal sinus, copious antibiotic-impregnated irrigation after culture swabs, and resection of presumed granulation tissue was performed, and this tissue was sent for histologic analysis ([Fig. 2]). Iliac autograft was used to obliterate frontal sinus. The patient was neurologically intact postoperatively.

Fig. 2 (A) Postoperative computed tomography scan of the head. (B) Axial T1 non–contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (C) Axial T2 MRI. (D) Axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI showing postoperative tumor-free changes from a bifrontal craniotomy and radical exenteration of the frontal sinus.

Histopathology

Both intra- and extracranial specimens were evaluated with the latter including frontal sinus contents. The findings in both specimens were similar with an infiltrate of large atypical lymphocytes associated with necrosis, fragments of nonviable bone, variable sclerosis, and admixed small lymphocytes ([Fig. 3A, B]). Immunostains performed on paraffin sections showed large atypical lymphoid cells expressing CD20 indicative of B-cell lineage ([Fig. 4]) and were also positive for CD30, CD43, and bcl-6. There was no expression of CD3, CD10, CD15, bcl-2, or MUM-1. The admixed small lymphocytes were nonneoplastic and of T-cell lineage. A diagnosis using the Hans algorithm was made of a large B-cell lymphoma of the germinal center type.[18] Although there was no rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene, a clonal immunoglobulin kappa light chain gene rearrangement was identified.

Fig. 3 (A) Diffuse destructive infiltrate with desmoplastic reaction and fragments of bone (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], ×100). (B) Large atypical lymphocytes with irregular nuclear membranes and prominent nucleoli (H & E, ×1,000).

Fig. 4 Large cells are CD20 positive, indicative of B-cell lineage (×400).

Follow-Up

The patient's oncologist placed him on a chemotherapy regimen of Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Rituxan, and vincristine for a total of 5 months. We continued to monitor him clinically with follow-up CT and MRI scans. His repeat imaging studies have shown him to be radiographically disease free at the time of this report (3 years postdiagnosis). He returned to work within 1 month of his surgery.

Discussion

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is extremely rare. With only eight case reports and six cases within case series in the literature ([Table 1]), our experience as a profession with this disease at this location is limited. Of the 14 cases with identifiable demographics in the literature on this topic (including our own), there were 7 men and 2 women with an average age of 60 years. Interestingly, the literature shows the incidence of sinonasal NHL in Asian countries is higher than in the Western Hemisphere.[19] The subtypes of NHL in Asian countries are more commonly T cell predominant in contrast to Western countries showing a B-cell predilection.[5] [12] [19] [20] [21]

Table 1 Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cases found in the literature

Study	Pathology	Age, y/Sex	Presenting signs	Type of report	Stage	Treatment	Prognosis
Duncavage et al[13]	NA	NA	Facial swelling	Case series	IVE	NA	NA
Burres et al[4]	DLBCL	43/F	Frontal headache, nasal drainage	Case report	IE	Chemotherapy, surgery	NED at 2 mo
Frierson et al[16]	NA	NA	NA	Case series	NA	NA	NA
Cooper and Ginsberg[17]	DLBCL	60/F	Enlarging nodule on nose	Case series	IE	Chemotherapy, radiotherapy	NED at 20 mo
Spiro et al[15]	NA	NA	NA	Case series	NA	NA	NA
el-Hakim et al[5]	DLBCL	58/M	Eyelid edema, frontal headaches, epistaxis, nasal obstruction	Case report	IE	Chemotherapy, sinus surgery	NED at 3 mo
Hatta et al[14]	NA	NA	NA	Case series	NA	NA	NA
Shohat et al[12]	DLBCL	83/M	Pain, nasal discharge, headache, nasal bleeding	Case series	IIIE	Chemotherapy, radiotherapy	NA
Neves et al[6]	DLBCL	43/M	Frontal headaches, bulging eyelid	Case report	NA	NA	DOD; NA
Nemet et al[7]	DLBCL	84/M	Nontender periorbital swelling	Case report	IE	Steroids, radiotherapy	DOD at 9 mo
Chain and Kingdom[8]	DLBCL	55/M	Pain and swelling of forehead	Case report	IIEA	Chemotherapy, radiotherapy	NED at 18 mo
Kim et al[9]	DLBCL	42/M	Multiple cranial nerve palsies	Case report	IVE	Chemotherapy, stem cell therapy	NED at 50 mo
Wong et al[10]	DLBCL	61/F	Enlarging forehead	Case report	NA	Chemotherapy	NA
Philip et al[11]	NA	NA	NA	Case report	NA	NA	NA
Arnautović et al (this report)	DLBCL	53/M	Headaches, dizziness, eye tenderness, nasal congestion	Case report	IE	Surgery, chemotherapy	NED at 12 mo

Abbreviations: DLBCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; DOD, died of disease; NA, not available; NED, no evidence of disease.

Source: Table modified from Kim et al.[9]

Pott puffy tumor, first described by Sir Percival Pott in 1760,[22] is a rare clinical entity characterized by a subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. This infection can develop either by direct or hematologic spread. Pott puffy tumor has been associated with cortical vein thrombosis, epidural abscess, subdural empyema, and brain abscesses. This type of chronic osteomyelitis of the frontal bone may be easily confused with acute subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone often seen as a complication of frontal sinusitis or trauma.

The current paradigm in the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is based on histologic evaluation and immunochemical staining alone (e.g., CD19, CD20, CD22, CD79a). However, there are several tests before a biopsy that can assist the clinician in differentiating this disease process from infectious processes such as Pott puffy tumor. Elevated leukocyte counts with a leftward shift, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and elevated C-reactive protein can certainly make the differential diagnosis more indicative of infectious processes. A history of recurrent sinusitis (the most common cause of Pott puffy tumor) or an identified source of hematogenous spread can also point toward infectious processes. A complete history and physical examination coupled with the laboratory testing just cited can give the physician valuable information that can be used in decision making prior to invasive biopsy.

Throughout the literature, treatment paradigms for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the frontal sinus have varied widely including surgery, chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, and radiation therapy in various combinations. Lymphoma is a pathology that is both chemosensitive and radiosensitive. Surgery can be performed to establish a diagnosis offering both an oncologic and often a neurologic benefit to the patient. Our case used a combination of surgery and chemotherapy to provide symptom-free disease control.

Previously reported presentations of frontal sinus NHL were a direct result of tumor mass effect and not presented as a chronic infection. The lack of specificity of symptoms related to this disease unfortunately often leads to a delayed diagnosis. The diagnosis of sinonasal lymphoma may remain elusive for months to years leading to delays in treatment. The experience in our case is that even intraoperatively an infection was presumed. It was only after negative swab cultures and positive histology that a diagnosis of NHL was made. Therefore, an attempt at an endoscopic biopsy of “granulation tissue” for histologic examination should be considered before subjecting a patient to surgical treatment in suspected cases.

It is our hope that this report will increase awareness of this disease for physicians to obtain earlier diagnosis, more timely treatments, and, most importantly, improved outcomes for patients.

Conclusion

Sinonasal NHL is rare but can occur in the frontal sinus. Most of the symptoms are tumor nonspecific. It can present as Pott puffy tumor and may be easily overlooked at surgery unless histologic specimens are submitted and reviewed in detail. A high clinical suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment. Prior to surgery, endoscopic biopsy should be considered in suspected cases.

Disclosures

The authors have no financial relationships to disclose. No funding was accepted for this study.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Andrew J. Gienapp for technical and copy editing, preparation of the manuscript and figures for publishing, and publication assistance with this manuscript. Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement assays by multiplex polymerase chain reaction/capillary electrophoresis were performed at Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network, Maryville, Tennessee.

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