Primary lymphoblastic B-cell lymphoma of the cranial dura mater: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Primary lymphomas of the cranial dura mater are rare. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue extranodal marginal zone lymphomas are the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that present as primary cranial dura tumors. A 33 year-old male presented with a 3-month history of a growing lump in the right frontal area. Neuroimaging studies demonstrated an extra-axial, broad-based mass with a dural tail in the right frontal bone convexity. Biopsy led to the diagnosis of localized dural precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The patient was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, achieving durable disease-free survival. This is the first report of precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma of dura mater. A review of the literature on primary lymphomas of cranial dura mater is presented. Primary lymphomas of the cranial dura mater are rare. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue extranodal marginal zone lymphomas are the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that present as primary cranial dura tumors. A 33 year-old male presented with a 3-month history of a growing lump in the right frontal area. Neuroimaging studies demonstrated an extra-axial, broad-based mass with a dural tail in the right frontal bone convexity. Biopsy led to the diagnosis of localized dural precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The patient was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, achieving durable disease-free survival. This is the first report of precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma of dura mater. A review of the literature on primary lymphomas of cranial dura mater is presented.