Tonsillar Plasmacytoma: clues on magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND: Malignant plasma cell proliferation may present as a disseminated disease (multiple myeloma), a solitary plasmacytoma of bone, or an extramedullary plasmacytoma of soft tissue. The latter plasmacytomas represent approximately 3% of all plasma cell proliferations, and 80% develop in the head-and-neck region. The unexpected clinical presentation of such masses may be present. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a rare case of primary tonsillar plasmacytoma in a 42-year-old female. The patient presented with asymmetric tonsillar hypertrophy that was resistant to antibiotherapy. Upon further workup, we found no evidence of multiple myeloma or light-chain disease. The patient underwent surgery and, at the last follow-up, exhibited no evidence of such disease. CONCLUSIONS: In adults presenting with asymptomatic tonsillar enlargement, the possibility of submucosal masses should be considered, thus encouraging the radiologist to evaluate crypts within the palatine tonsil on a postcontrast MRI, besides enlargement and signal change.