Epidural B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with chronic subdural hematoma.

BACKGROUND

Chronic subdural hematoma generally occurs in elderly patients, who are also prone to neoplasm. However, the association of chronic subdural hematoma and intracranial neoplasm is rare.

CASE DESCRIPTION: An elderly woman harboring a chronic subdural hematoma underlying an epidural extension of a malignant B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is reported. Infiltration of the tumor and obstruction of the dural veins with stasis and rupture of the capillary net may have been the mechanism that led to formation of the hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients harboring chronic subdural hematoma with mural isodensity on CT who have no history or an uncertain history of head trauma, one should consider the possibility of neoplasm, although it is rare. Chronic subdural hematoma associated with epidural extension of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is exceptional. Screening for other systemic manifestations should be carried out. Radiotherapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, should be considered after surgical removal.