J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2012 Mar;53(3):482-485.

Isolated Oculomotor Nerve Palsy due to Direct Invasion of Recurrent Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

• Kang HM
• Kim HY

Abstract

PURPOSE
Compared with multiple cranial nerve palsies, isolated nerve palsy is very rare in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We experienced a case of isolated oculomotor nerve palsy as the first sign of recurrent diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
CASE SUMMARY
A 45-year-old woman visited the ophthalmology clinic with a one-month history of left upper eyelid ptosis and diplopia. She had a history of DLBCL of the nasopharynx and has been in complete remission for three years after systemic chemotherapy. Ophthalmologic evaluation showed ptosis of the upper eyelid, anisocoria, but no definite limitations in ocular movement. After six weeks, aggravated ptosis, exodeviation of the left eye in the primary position, and ocular movement limitations in all directions except abduction were observed. Brain magnetic resonance angiography taken four weeks earlier demonstrated no intracranial vascular lesion, but an enhancing lesion in the cistern along the left oculomotor nerve was shown in brain magnetic resonance imaging. We diagnosed isolated oculomotor nerve palsy due to direct invasion of recurrent DLBCL. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed tumor cells, and follow-up MRI showed progression of lymphoma into the cavernous sinus.
CONCLUSIONS
Although not common, isolated oculomotor nerve palsy can be the first sign of malignant lymphoma, even after complete remission.

Keyword

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy; Recurrent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

MeSH Terms

Anisocoria
B-Lymphocytes
Blepharoptosis
Brain
Caves
Cranial Nerve Diseases
Diplopia
Exotropia
Eye
Eyelids
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lymphoma
Lymphoma, B-Cell
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Nasopharynx
Oculomotor Nerve
Oculomotor Nerve Diseases
Ophthalmology
Paralysis

Figure

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  Figure 1 At the initial presentation, left eyelid ptosis is noted, but there was no definite ocular movement limitation.

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  Figure 2 After 6 weeks, left eyelid ptosis is aggravated. Ocular movements were limited in all directions, except abduction.

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  Figure 3 T1-weighted fat suppression with delayed gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. (A) MRI 2 weeks after the initial presentation. Enhanced cisternal segment of the oculomotor nerve (arrow) is noted. (B) MRI 6 weeks after initial presentation, right before systemic therapy for recurrent lymphoma. Increased enhanced lesion of in cavernous sinus is marked (arrow). (C) MRI 1 month after systemic therapy demonstrates decreased enhanced lesions in the cavernous sinus (arrow).

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