Hodgkin's lymphoma mimicking tuberculosis in cervical lymph nodes

Pol J Pathol. 2014 Mar;65(1):83-8.

Abstract

The authors present a case description of an 81-year-old male with general symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss) and cervical/supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. The revised lymph node histopathological examination revealed nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with abundant tuberculosis-mimicking granulomatous reaction. The diagnosis may be difficult due to similarities in clinical course, laboratory tests and imaging. The morphology of Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells and the immunohistochemical profile are the most helpful in differential diagnosis. In cases where granulomas coexist with negative acid-fast staining, pathologists should always recommend evaluation of further and broader diagnostic procedures to exclude Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Male
  • Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / diagnosis*