Epstein–Barr virus-associated T-cell lymphoma: a case of eyelid swelling and intramuscular infiltration mimicking dermatomyositis

✍ Scribed by F. Shirasaki; K. Taniuchi; T. Matsushita; Y. Hamaguhi; M. Takata; K. Takehara

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 244 KB
• Volume: 147
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0007-0963
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.05037.x

✦ Synopsis

Association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been noted in various types of cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders. We report a 57-year-old Japanese woman with T-cell lymphoma mimicking dermatomyositis that was associated with chronic active EBV infection. She presented with low-grade fever, bilateral erythematous swellings on the eyelids, and necrotic papules on the face. Serum creatine kinase levels were elevated and a diffuse reticular shadow was detected in both lung fields. The infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes found in skin and muscle, which contained EBV-encoded small nuclear RNA-1 and EBV, was also detected in the CD4+ peripheral blood cells. Treatment with prednisolone resolved her lesions with no relapse for 3 years, after which there was a recurrence in her left lung. Combination chemotherapy was not effective against the lung lesion and she died with multiple organ failure 2 months after the recurrence.