[Primary central nervous system lymphoma presenting with central neurogenic hyperventilation. A case report and review of the literature].

INTRODUCTION

Central neurogenic hyperventilation (CNH) in an awake patient is a rare entity.

OBSERVATION: We report here a 54-year-old patient who developed central neurogenic hyperventilation as the initial presentation of a primary central nervous system lymphoma located in the brainstem.

CONCLUSION

The patient's hyperventilation resolved completely with chemotherapy for primary CNS lymphoma. Most of the cases reported in the literature are related to a diffuse tumor of the brainstem with an intriguing overrepresentation of primary CNS lymphoma. The pathogenesis of CNH is discussed.