Abstract

Intravascular lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterised by the growth of neoplastic B-cells within blood vessels. The disease preferably affects the skin, presenting very heterogeneous clinical findings, and the nervous system. For correct diagnosis, excision biopsy with histological and immunohistochemical examination of the lesion is mandatory. Multiagent chemotherapy is the preferred mode of treatment.

We report a 72-year-old female who had suffered from waxing and waning burning erythema on the thighs over two years. Clinical examination disclosed livid reticular teleangiectatic bone-hard erythema that was located symmetrically on the medial and posterior aspects of the thighs. The investigations conducted verified the diagnosis of intravascular lymphoma that was restricted only to the skin. The patient received eight courses of chemotherapy (R-CHOP scheme) and skin changes disappeared.

In case of extremely hard cutaneous induration it is essential to consider primary skin lymphoma.