The challenging diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Livedo reticularis (LR) is a net-like cyanotic skin pattern resulting from cutaneous blood flow disturbance associated with several medical conditions. The authors present a case of a 77-year-old woman with a history of asthenia over one year, admitted to the hospital with sepsis by pneumonia. During her hospitalization, she developed a livedoid rash, and skin biopsy revealed infiltrates of atypical mononuclear cells causing capillary lumen obstruction. Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma was suspected and confirmed by bone marrow study. This case highlights the importance of being aware of different medical conditions associated with LR and the atypical presentation of a lymphoproliferative disorder.