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Case Reports
. 2022 Oct 26;14(10):e30734.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.30734. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma With an Unusual Presentation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abdulwahab Alyahya  1   2 , Alhanouf Alhedaithy  3 , Tariq Abualhamayel  3 , Nada Aldabal  3 , Ahmed Bukhari  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma With an Unusual Presentation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abdulwahab Alyahya et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The Epstein-Barr virus is closely linked to a lymphoproliferative disease known as natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL). Early identification of NKTL might be challenging because it can resemble other nasopharyngeal pathologies. Contrary to the presented case, T-cell lymphoma often develops in the nasal canal and spreads to the oral cavity. Here, we present the case of a 45-year-old man with an unusual presentation of NKTL presenting initially as acute follicular tonsillitis.

Keywords: epstein-barr virus; extranodal natural killer/t-cell lymphoma; follicular tonsillitis; retropharyngeal abscess; t-cell lymphoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Axial computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck showing prominent asymmetry of the nasopharyngeal soft tissue, more on the right side, with no CT features suggestive of a retropharyngeal abscess.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Endoscopic view of the intraoral cavity, with the arrow showing sloughed uvula, and necrotic tissue involving the soft palate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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