Burkitt lymphoma of the maxilla in a HIV positive male - Presentation and review of diagnostic laboratory tests

William Alvarez; Li Han Lai; Shakira J Grant; Daniel E Sabath; Jasjit Dillon

doi:10.1016/j.omsc.2019.100113

Burkitt lymphoma of the maxilla in a HIV positive male - Presentation and review of diagnostic laboratory tests

Oral Maxillofac Surg Cases. 2019 Sep;5(3):100113. doi: 10.1016/j.omsc.2019.100113. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

Authors

William Alvarez¹, Li Han Lai², Shakira J Grant³, Daniel E Sabath⁴, Jasjit Dillon⁵

Affiliations

¹ Tufts University. Former Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
² Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
³ Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
⁴ Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
⁵ Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Harborview Medical Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Abstract

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive, B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that is rare outside Africa. We report a case of HIV-associated BL originating in the right maxillary sinus in a 31-year-old Hispanic male living in Washington, USA. We also highlight the diagnostic challenges in arriving at the diagnosis when the patient initially presented with a painless right facial swelling. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical because BL is one of the fastest-growing tumors. Treatment involves brief duration of high intensity chemotherapy and central nervous system prophylaxis. It is important for oral and maxillofacial surgeons to recognize this disease and understand the necessary steps to treat this aggressive tumor.

Keywords: Burkitt lymphoma; Cervical lymph node; Human immunodeficiency virus; Lymphoma; Maxillary sinus.

Grants and funding

T32 HL007093/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States