Primary B-cell lymphoma of the clivus: case report

Abstract

Background: Lymphomas usually present in extranodal sites late in the course of the disease. Moreover, it is uncommon for a primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to present with cranial nerve palsies; reports in the literature are rare.

Case description: We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with complaints of headache and double vision. MRI revealed an expansive clival lesion without pituitary invasion. An endoscopic transsphenoidal procedure was performed for diagnosis and partial resection of the mass.

Conclusion: Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the clivus is rare. An endoscopic transsphenoidal approach to the skull base is described, along with characteristic clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of the lesions.