Patella lymphoma: rare presentation of primary bone lymphoma: a case report
- 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Introduction and importance:: Primary bone lymphoma (PBL) is a rare bone malignancy, accounting for approximately 7% of malignant bone tumors and less than 1% of all malignant lymphomas. Involvement of the patella is exceptionally uncommon, with only a few cases reported in the literature.
Case presentation:: A 30-year-old male presented with a 5-month history of chronic anterior knee pain and swelling. Radiographs demonstrated an osteolytic lesion of the patella, while magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse replacement of the patella by a lytic lesion. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the germinal center subtype. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed isolated patellar involvement without evidence of systemic disease.
Clinical discussion:: PBL of the patella presents with non-specific symptoms and may mimic common degenerative knee conditions, resulting in delayed diagnosis. Histopathological examination remains essential for diagnosis. Following six cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy, the patient achieved a complete metabolic response, with significant clinical and radiological improvement.
Conclusion:: Patellar lymphoma is an extremely rare entity that should be considered in patients with persistent knee pain and osteolytic patellar lesions. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management can lead to favorable outcomes.
Related
- Stroke in postpartum: a case report on rare presentation of primary Sjögren’s syndrome
- The Bird's Nest Sign as an Initial Presentation of Primary Pulmonary B‐Cell Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma With Plasmacytic Differentiation
- Diffuse Nephromegaly With Dialysis‐Dependent Acute Kidney Injury as the Initial Presentation of Primary Mediastinal Large B‐Cell Lymphoma
- Cavitary Lung Lesion as the Initial Presentation of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report With Review of the Literature.
- A Rare Presentation of Pneumococcal Meningitis with Acute Bilateral Vision Loss: A Case Report
BibTeX
@article{alkhonain2026patella,
title = {{Patella lymphoma: rare presentation of primary bone lymphoma: a case report}},
author = {Lamia A. Alkhonain and Abdullah Alhamdan and Reem I. Alkhalifah},
journal = {International Journal of Surgery Case Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1097/rc9.0000000000001154},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1097/rc9.0000000000001154},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Patella lymphoma: rare presentation of primary bone lymphoma: a case report
AU - Lamia A. Alkhonain
AU - Abdullah Alhamdan
AU - Reem I. Alkhalifah
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
DO - 10.1097/rc9.0000000000001154
UR - https://doi.org/10.1097/rc9.0000000000001154
AB - Introduction and importance:: Primary bone lymphoma (PBL) is a rare bone malignancy, accounting for approximately 7% of malignant bone tumors and less than 1% of all malignant lymphomas. Involvement of the patella is exceptionally uncommon, with only a few cases reported in the literature. Case presentation:: A 30-year-old male presented with a 5-month history of chronic anterior knee pain and swelling. Radiographs demonstrated an osteolytic lesion of the patella, while magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse replacement of the patella by a lytic lesion. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the germinal center subtype. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed isolated patellar involvement without evidence of systemic disease. Clinical discussion:: PBL of the patella presents with non-specific symptoms and may mimic common degenerative knee conditions, resulting in delayed diagnosis. Histopathological examination remains essential for diagnosis. Following six cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy, the patient achieved a complete metabolic response, with significant clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusion:: Patellar lymphoma is an extremely rare entity that should be considered in patients with persistent knee pain and osteolytic patellar lesions. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management can lead to favorable outcomes.
SN - 2210-2612
ER -