AIDS-RELATED NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA OF THE PANCREAS

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a common complication in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection that most frequently affects the gas trointestinal tract. We describe the first case report of non-Hodgkin' s lymphoma primarily involving the pancreas in a 27-yr-old white man w ho presented with epigastric pain, weight loss, and jaundice (and was later found to be HIV seropositive). Endoscopic ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen showed a large mass arising from the body and head of the pancreas obstructing the common bile duct. An attempted ERCP was u nsuccessful due to extrinsic compression and distortion of the second part of the duodenum. A percutaneous CT-directed true-cut needle biops y of the pancreas revealed a small noncleaved B-cell lymphoma. The pat ient was started on combination chemotherapy. His pancreatic mass, epi gastric symptoms, and jaundice resolved completely. This case report i llustrates an otherwise rare presentation of isolated pancreatic invol vement of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient with acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome. An approach to its diagnosis and management is summar ized.