ERYTHEMA NODOSUM – A RARE MANIFESTATION OF NON- HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Abstract

Erythema nodosum (EN) is a panniculitis that presents with painful erythematous nodular lesions, pre- ferentially located on the extensor surface of the legs. EN is generally self-limited and chronic or recurrent lesions are rare. Its most common causes are streptococcal pharyngitis, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease and tuberculosis. A 73-year-old woman presented with recurrent EN with a year of evolution, and the etiological investigation excluded the most frequent causes. The patient underwent upper endoscopy for epigastric pain complaints revealing a gastric infiltrative process. The biopsy was consistent with a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Although rare, the association between lymphoma and recurrent EN is described in the literature, and EN may precede de diagnosis of lymphoma by months. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma should therefore be considered in the etiology of EN, especially in cases of persistent or recurrent EN.

KEYWORDS – Erythema nodosum; Lymphoma, non-Hodgkin.