A Case Report of NK-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disease With a Wide Involvement of Digestive Tract Develop Into Epstein-Barr Virus Associated NK/T Cell Lymphoma in an Immunocompetent Patient

Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Mar;95(12):e3176. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000003176.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plays an important role in various diseases. EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) is a rare disease with a canceration tendency. It is difficult to differentiate LPD with involvement of digestive tract from Crohn disease due to similar clinical and endoscopic manifestations. We present a case report of multiple ulcers with esophagus, small bowel and the entire colon involved, proved to be NK-Cell LPD, developed into EBV-associated NK/T Cell lymphoma, in an immunocompetent man who was initially misdiagnosed as Crohn disease.This report underscores that intestinal ulcers should be cautiously diagnosed, for it sometimes could be a precancerous lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Killer Cells, Natural*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / virology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / complications*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / diagnosis
  • Male