Lymphomatoid granulomatosis masquerading as interstitial pneumonia in a 66-year-old man: a case report and review of literature

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG) was first described as a clinicopathological entity in 1972 by Liebow et al [1]. It is a rare, angiocentric and angiodestructive, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven, T cell rich- B cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) with clinical presentation varying widely from an indolent process to an aggressive B cell lymphoma. It usually presents in the fifth-sixth decade of life and is often associated with immunosuppression or immunodeficiency states. Men are affected twice as often as women (2:1) [2].

Lungs are most commonly involved, with less frequent involvement of skin, kidney, liver and central nervous system (Table 1) [1, 3]. Pulmonary LG may present with cough, dyspnea or chest pain, and constitutional symptoms of fever and weight loss are common [4]. Less than 5% are asymptomatic but delay in diagnosis is common. Braham et al reported a patient whose presentation mimicked interstitial lung disease clinically [5]. Our case represents another presentation of LG masquerading as interstitial pneumonitis clinically.

Chest radiographs are usually non-specific. Pulmonary nodules of varying sizes ranging from 1 to 9 cm are the most common findings (80% cases), but hilar adenopathy, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and abscesses [4] also have been reported. Studies containing large radiographic series often report presence of diffuse bilateral nodules in the lower and peripheral lung fields with mass-like opacities [1‐3, 6‐8]. Bronchoscopic biopsy is positive in up to 27% cases, but definitive diagnosis requires tissue biopsy obtained by open lung biopsy or video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) (3). Gross pathology of the lung lesions may consist of multiple yellow-white spherical masses with central necrosis with a solid or granular cheesy appearance [2]. Histologically, it is characterized by large atypical CD20+ B cells in a polymorphous inflammatory milieu of small lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes (with karyorrhectic debris), and numerous CD3+ T cells (quantitatively outnumbering the B cells) with the infiltrate centered around bronchovascular and perivascular regions [8]. Epithelioid granulomas and giant cells are almost always absent despite the name 'granulomatosis'. EBV is demonstrable in the large atypical B cells by in situ hybridization of EBV encoded RNA. LG has been classified into 3 histological grades depending on the number of atypical large EBV-infected cells [9]. Grade 3 LG lesions most closely resemble clinically and pathologically the more conventional forms of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and are treated in a similar manner. Most patients have grade 1-2 LG lesions at presentation.

Outcomes are variable and correlate with the histological grade. About one third of grade 1 lesions and two-thirds of grade 2 lesions progress to lymphoma [9]. The course of LG tends to be fulminant with a median survival of 14 months and mortality of 65-90%, with death resulting from progressive pulmonary involvement, extrapulmonary disease (particularly neurological) and/or complications of therapy [6].

Due to its rarity, standard treatment has not been established but it is important to diagnose and intervene early because of rapid progression. Therapy has ranged from observation to treatment with steroids or aggressive chemotherapy in various case series [10]. Low grade lesions may be treated with steroids alone. In view of similarity to EBV associated post transplant lymphoma, Interferon-α2b has often been used to treat LG due to its antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory properties, with good response [11]. Grade 1 and 2 diseases are often treated by interferon-α2b in combination with a humanized monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab) [10] while Grade 3 lesions are treated like high grade lymphomas with aggressive chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy, usually, R-CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) is used but response rates are poor at this grade [12]. Autologous stem cell transplantation has also been reported to be successful in refractory cases but the clinical implications of this modality have not been reported in large studies [13].

A 66-year-old Caucasian man with no significant past medical history presented with flu-like symptoms, progressively worsening shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing (NYHA class III) and dry cough over the past 2 weeks prior to presentation. He denied any fever, chills, sputum production, orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, anorexia, weight loss, recent or past exposure to tuberculosis, sick contacts, pets, recent travel or past exposure to cigarette smoke (active or passive), asbestos, silica, coal dust or chemicals. He maintained an active lifestyle walking 5 miles three times a week without overt dyspnea. He had no prior history of connective tissue disease or HIV and denied any history of skin rash or joint pains. Past surgical, social and family histories were non-contributory. He also had no history of prior use of any long term medications. He had presented to the hospital 4 days prior to present admission and a provisional diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia was made based on chest radiograph findings and he was discharged home on 2L of oxygen and Levofloxacin, but came back to the hospital due to lack of obvious improvement.

On examination, he appeared tired with shortness of breath. The temperature was 99.9°F, the pulse 124/min, respiratory rate 26/min and oxygen saturation of 86% on 2L. Skin was diaphoretic. There was no evidence of rash, pallor, lymphadenopathy, clubbing, joint swelling or edema. Auscultation of chest revealed diminished breath sounds with bilateral velcro-like fine inspiratory crackles. Laboratory studies showed a normal complete blood count, metabolic panel, liver function tests, cardiac enzymes, BNP, lactate, PT/INR, aPTT, fibrinogen and TSH. D-dimer was elevated at 15.4 (normal <1.6). ESR was 52 mm/hour. Rheumatoid factor was <5 (negative). ANA, p-ANCA and c-ANCA were negative. Blood cultures (bacterial/fungal/mycobacterial), urine legionella and streptococcal antigen were negative. Viral respiratory panel, including cytomegalovirus & Herpes Simplex Virus PCR were also negative. ABG showed hypoxemia with respiratory alkalosis. Pulmonary function tests showed restrictive pattern of lung disease. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed normal cardiac chamber sizes and left ventricular ejection fraction of 81%.

Plain chest radiograph (Fig. 1A) showed bilateral basilar infiltrates and a peripheral reticulonodular pattern superimposed on generalized interstitial changes, involving the upper lobes as well as lung bases. High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the chest (Fig. 1B and 1C) revealed moderate to severe thickening of intralobular septa, septal line formation, parenchymal band formation and peribronchial thickening, ground glass opacities and mild mediastinal lymphadenopathy (likely reactive, largest lymph node being 1.1 cm) was noted. This was consistent with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) without a specific pattern. At this time, treatment with levofloxacin was continued and solumedrol was added for empirical therapy. Computed Tomogram (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis was normal with no evidence of retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Despite steroid therapy, the patient's respiratory status deteriorated over the next day requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Consequently, consent for wedge biopsy of the lung was obtained for a pathological diagnosis to guide further therapy.

A right lung wedge biopsy was obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). A polymorphic lymphoid infiltrate composed of large atypical cells, small lymphocytes and many plasma cells was noted, with lymphoid cells infiltrating blood vessels and bronchial walls (Fig. 2A). Multinucleated large Reed Sternberg-like cells were also present along with foci of necrosis. Bronchial washings showed atypical benign bronchial cells and pulmonary macrophages with a few rare atypical Reed-Sternberg-like cells. Bone marrow biopsy was normal.

Immuno-histochemical studies of lung tissue showed predominance of T cells expressing CD3, CD5 and CD43 with a smaller population of large atypical cells expressing CD20 and CD79a (B cell markers) (Fig. 2B). Many CD138+ plasma cells exhibiting polyclonal staining pattern for kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains were also seen. Bone marrow biopsy revealed normal cellularity with no evidence of lymphoma. In situ hybridization for EBV encoded RNA (EBER) was positive within scattered large lymphoid cells throughout the biopsy specimen (Fig. 2C).

Based on the pathological and immuno-histochemical findings, a diagnosis of Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis was made. Treatment with high dose steroids and rituximab showed significant clinical improvement and he was extubated 4 days after starting therapy. Treatment was continued with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and prednisolone chemotherapy and he showed gradual but slow resolution of clinical and x-ray findings. However, he subsequently developed pancytopenia consequent to chemotherapy, septic shock requiring increasing doses of pressors and acute renal failure which did not respond to aggressive management and he was terminally weaned per family wishes 4 weeks later. A chest-only autopsy revealed diffuse alveolar damage, likely secondary to sepsis or chemotherapy or both, but no evidence of residual LG was noted within the lungs (Fig. 2D).

This case illustrates that LG can clinically and radiographically mimic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia on presentation. However, rapid respiratory deterioration, without any other obvious etiology as in our patient, must prompt physicians to consider additional differential diagnoses. Although HRCT is an excellent modality in diagnosing interstitial pathology, we must be aware of potential mimics and proceed with open or VATS biopsy to obtain a pathological diagnosis in all patients who do not respond to empirical therapy. Early diagnosis and aggressive intervention, with interferon therapy, rituximab and chemotherapy in high grade LG can be life-saving for a patient with this rare yet treatable disease.

AM is an Internal Medicine Resident at Michigan State University. KK is a Pulmonary and Critical Care fellow at Wayne State University. DT is a hematology/oncology professor at Michigan State University. WC and HTC are pathologists in the Department of Pathology at Sparrow Health System, and HTC and DT are also associate professors at the Michigan State University.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient's next-of-kin for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.