Fever of unknown origin (FUO) due to large B-cell lymphoma: the diagnostic significance of highly elevated alkaline phosphatase and serum ferritin levels.

BACKGROUND

Determining the cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) is often a vexing and difficult diagnostic process. In most cases, the signs and symptoms in adult FUOs suggest a malignant, infectious, or rheumatic/inflammatory etiology. The diagnosis of FUO may be narrowed if specific findings are present (eg, hepatosplenomegaly) that limit the diagnostic possibilities. Infectious causes of FUO with hepatosplenomegaly include miliary tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and visceral leishmanosis (kala-azar). However, FUOs with hepatosplenomegaly are most often attributable to malignant neoplasms, ie, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, hepatoma, hypernephroma (renal-cell carcinoma), or preleukemia.

RESULTS

We present a middle-aged woman with FUO and hepatosplenomegaly. Inpatient nonspecific laboratory findings included a highly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and elevated levels of vitamin B12, lactate dehydrogenase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, ferritin, and alkaline phosphatase. These individual findings are nonspecific, but together point to a lymphoma. An important test in differentiating malignant from infectious FUOs is the Naprosyn test, and her Naprosyn test was positive, indicating malignancy. A gallium scan suggested a uterine lymphoma. A computed tomography scan revealed hepatosplenomegaly, but the gallium uptake was not increased in her liver and spleen. Uterine and bone marrow biopsies were negative for lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a case of FUO with hepatosplenomegaly attributable to large B-cell lymphoma as diagnosed via liver biopsy.