CASE REPORT: Primary Small Intestinal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Case Report

West Afr J Med . 2023 Feb 28;40(2):232-234.

Abstract

Abstract  in English, French

Background: Primary intestinal lymphoma has not been previously reported in our unit, and we consider it to be a very rare cause of acute small bowel obstruction.

Methods: We present an adult male with features of recurrent small intestinal obstruction who previously underwent umbilical hernia repair for the same pain. A plain x-ray and ultrasound scan showed features of intestinal obstruction but did not suggest an aetiology of his symptoms.

Results: He was resuscitated and underwent an exploratory laparotomy and resection of an obstructing ileal mass with mesenteric nodes. Primary anastomosis of healthy ileum was done and the post-operative period was uneventful. The tissue was reported as low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). He was placed on CHOP with a satisfactory response.

Conclusion: Small intestinal lymphoma is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

Keywords: Laparotomy; Primary intestinal lymphoma; Recurrent intestinal obstruction.

I A Udo ¹, C C Nwafor ²