A Case Report of a Prevertebral Mass in an Elderly Male Post Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Cureus. 2022 Aug 28;14(8):e28494. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28494. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by tissue infiltration by dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate composed of T cells, activated B-cells, and plasma cells expressing IgG4 and has varied presentations with similar histopathology. It can involve visceral organs, glands, aorta, lymph nodes, and retroperitoneal tissue. In our case, a 68-year-old male with a past history of Hodgkin's lymphoma and in remission presented for investigation of polyclonal gammopathy. Serum electrophoresis showed increased free kappa light chains, free lambda light chains, and kappa lambda ratio; immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were also increased. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) thoracic spine suggested a hypermetabolic prevertebral soft tissue density. Biopsy of the mass suggested IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). He also had a compression fracture of the T7 vertebra. He was started on intravenous methylprednisolone and rituximab, following which he had a significant decrease in the size of the mass along with a decline in the levels of IgG, kappa, and lambda chains.

Keywords: autoimmune pancreatitis; autoimmune pancreatitis type 1; igg4-rd; lymphoma; malignancy; pet/ct; polyclonal gammopathy; retroperitoneal fibrosis; serum protein; serum protein electrophoresis (spep).

Publication types

  • Case Reports