The snoring 2-year-old boy: a case of primary nasopharyngeal Burkitt’s lymphoma

Abstract

Sporadic Burkitt’s lymphoma affecting the nasopharyngeal region is an extremely rare disease, especially in infants. We describe the case of a 2-year-old boy who presented to the ear, nose and throat department with a history of snoring, blood-stained rhinorrhoea and symptoms consistent with upper respiratory tract infections. Physical examination revealed massive cervical lymphadenopathy. MRI of the head and neck showed a mass lesion in the nasopharynx with bilateral lymph node enlargement. Debulking of the mass was performed and biopsies were sent for histology, which confirmed Burkitt’s lymphoma. The patient was treated with complex chemotherapy and had a good clinical response. The patient remains in remission after 6 years.