Sarcoidosis-Lymphoma Syndrome Presenting As Bony Vertebral Metastasis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Sarcoidosis preceding a diagnosis of lymphoma has been a reported phenomenon termed sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome. Skeletal metastasis is extremely rare. Here, we detail a case of sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome presenting as a lumbar vertebral metastasis with suspected associated intracranial lesions. A 72-year-old man with a history of follicular lymphoma presented with symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) lesions with concurrent lumbar vertebral metastases visualized with CT and MRI. Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone (R-CHOP) with dexamethasone treatment resulted in significant radiographic regression of his intracranial lesions with dramatic symptomatic improvement. Out of concern for compression fracture of his lytic lumbar lesions, kyphoplasty with biopsy was performed showing lymphocytes that were positive for cluster-of-differentiation 10 (CD10), CD20, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2). The patient was diagnosed with CNS and vertebral sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome and began treatment with high-dose methotrexate. Including the present case, only four occurrences of sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome with bony involvement have been described. We detail our own experience and summarize all previous literature. While rare, sarcoidosis-lymphoma may present with CNS and lytic bone involvement; in these cases, symptomatic severity, as well as an effective response to steroid treatment, underscore the importance of an accurate and prompt diagnosis.