Incidental Pathogenic Fibrin-Associated Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Found During Aorto-Biiliac Bypass

Fibrin-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (FA-DLBCL) is in and of itself a rare entity and is a subset of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoma. Due to its indolent course, FA-DLBCL is generally an incidental finding on histopathological examinations. We present the first reported case of FA-DLBCL found within a native aortic thrombus during an aorto-biiliac bypass. This is a 77-year-old male who was taken to the operative theater for open aorto-biiliac bypass secondary to aortooclusive disease resulting in intermittent claudication and gangrene of the right lower extremity digits. Intraoperatively, suspicious inflammatory changes were noted around the aorta. Pathological evaluation of the thrombus within the aorta noted cells of B-cell lineage with BCL2 and MYC positivity in addition to CD30 and EBV positivity. Postoperatively, the patient’s course was complicated by acute tubular necrosis, uremia, dialysis dependence, intubation, and cardiac arrhythmias including cardiac arrest. He was able to recover from these complications, however, he ultimately chose to self-enroll in hospice care. An extensive literature review of over 128 mentions of FA-DLBCL noted a complete paucity of reported cases of FA-DLBCL within a native aorta. The patient’s clinical presentation and histopathology without mass-forming lesions lead to the diagnosis of FA-DLBCL. FA-DLBCL is an extremely rare EBV+ lymphoproliferative disorder associated with chronic inflammation (DLBCL-CI). FA-DLBCL is a rare condition without defined uniform treatment. This article serves to highlight the first reported case of FA-DLBCL found within an abdominal aortic thrombus in a native aorta. Given the paucity of literature on this condition, postoperative treatment and long-term outcomes should be the focus of this condition.