Specific detection of Epstein-Barr virus in inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen in a patient with a high serum level of soluble IL-2 receptor

A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen is described in a 63-year- old woman who presented with an intrasplenic tumor and an elevated serum le vel of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R). Microscopic examination aft er removal of the spleen revealed that the tumor was composed of mixed cell ular infiltrates, mainly lymphocytes and plasma cells, and spindle-cell pro liferation. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was specifically detected in the tumor by in situ hybridization for EBV RNA. The serum level of sIL-2R level was normalized after splenectomy. EBV infection may play a role in the developm ent of splenic inflammatory pseudotumor and the elevation of sIL-2R level.