Coexistence of Rosai-Dorfman disease and Hodgkin’s lymphoma in a patient with cervical lymphadenopathy

Abstract

A man in his 40s, with no tobacco or alcohol habit, was referred to the otorhinolaryngology department presenting with a 2-month history of enlarged left cervical lymphadenopathy with no other signs or symptoms. The ear, nose and throat examination showed no abnormalities apart from the described lymphadenopathy. An ultrasound scan suggested these nodes to be part of either an inflammatory or a malignant process. Subsequent positron emission tomography-CT proved those lymph nodes to be metabolically active, as well as others within the thorax. Cervicotomy was performed and the histopathological analysis showed dilated sinuses and histiocytes with emperipolesis. Suspecting Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), high-dose steroid therapy was started; but given no improvement was observed, a second cervicotomy was performed, with the histopathological diagnosis of the latter of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The present article aims to emphasise the need to exclude haematological disorders whenever RDD histology is observed, given their possible coexistence, and a worse outcome and clinical and histopathological semblance.