Abstract
Background:
The coexistence of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the central nervous system (CNS) (PCNS DLBCL) is extremely rare in clinical practice. This article retrospectively analyzes the clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, pathological diagnosis, and treatment process of a patient with NPSLE, from the appearance of intracranial abnormal signal shadows to the final diagnosis of PCNS DLBCL.
Case summary:
A 32-year-old Chinese female patient had previously visited our hospital due to vomiting and delirium and was diagnosed with NPSLE. In February 2021, she returned to our hospital with vomiting again. Laboratory tests revealed elevated infection markers and Epstein-Barr virus infection. Brain CT and MRI showed an abnormal intracranial lesion on the left side, which was initially considered to be a brain abscess. After one week of ineffective anti-infection treatment, the patient underwent surgery, during which the lesion was identified as a brain tumor and successfully resected. The final diagnosis was PCNS DLBCL. The patient improved after treatment and was discharged from the hospital. There has been no recurrence of NPSLE or lymphoma within three years.
Conclusion:
When patients with NPSLE develop new intracranial lesions, misdiagnosis is likely to occur. Imaging and pathology are crucial, and clarifying the nature of the lesion is conducive to a good long-term prognosis.
Introduction
NPSLE is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involving the CNS, with a high mortality rate. PCNS DLBCL is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma confined to the CNS, and its clinical symptoms are atypical (), including headache, nausea, vomiting, limb weakness, etc., which makes it prone to misdiagnosis in the early stages. As reported, patients with neuropsychiatric lupus are susceptible to developing central nervous system lymphoma, which may be attributed to immune dysregulation or long-term immunosuppressive therapy. However, in most cases, the lymphoma is secondary and originates from metastasis from other sites, including the eye (especially primary vitreoretinal lymphoma), systemic lymphoma (such as involvement of lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, etc.), and the testis (). The occurrence of PCNS DLBCL is extremely rare, which results in difficulties in diagnosis and a poor prognosis. Here, we report in detail the diagnosis and treatment process of a case of NPSLE complicated with PCNS DLBCL.
Case report
In 2006, a 19-year-old female patient developed recurrent oral ulcers, malar rash, and arthralgia. Laboratory tests revealed ANA 1:100 with a speckled pattern, positive ds-DNA antibodies, low complement C3 and C4, and hemolytic anemia. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was diagnosed at an outside hospital. Treatment with oral glucocorticoids (initially 40 mg daily, then tapered) and hydroxychloroquine was initiated, leading to improvement of symptoms. The patient has since adhered to regular follow-up and management. In June 2020, she began experiencing symptoms of vomiting and delirium and was admitted to our hospital for treatment. Her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed a white blood cell count of 53×106/L, with a percentage of mononuclear cells of 94.3%. CSF pathogen tests were negative. Cranial MRI revealed multiple ischemic foci in the left centrum semiovale and the right corona radiata. The primary diagnoses were neuropsychiatric lupus. After treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone 40 mg for 5 days and human immunoglobulin 20 mg for 5 days, the patient’s condition stabilized. She was discharged and continued to take oral glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate regularly to control her condition.
However, in February 2021, the patient experienced recurrent vomiting. Two weeks later, she suddenly developed weakness in her right limbs and was unable to walk. She was admitted to our hospital. Physical examination revealed decreased muscle strength in the right limbs (grade 2 muscle strength in the right upper limb and grade 3 muscle strength in the right lower limb), with positive findings on the right-sided neurological examination (Babinski sign and Chaddock sign). No other abnormalities were noted. Laboratory tests were detailed in Table 1. Neuroimaging (CT/MRI) revealed a hypodense lesion in the left parietal lobe (Figures 1A, 2A–C). Echocardiography and abdominal ultrasound showed no significant abnormalities. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the patient’s symptoms, signs, and laboratory test results since the onset of this episode, we considered that the abnormal signals in the patient’s brain might be due to a brain abscess.
Table 1
| Parameter | Value | Parameter | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | 71 g/L | Blood urea nitrogen | 9.41 mmol/L |
| White blood cells | 14.42×109/L | Creatinine | 328 μmol/L |
| Neutrophils | 12.74×109/L | 24-hour urine protein | 3.626 g/24h |
| Lymphocytes | 0.69×109/L | Direct antiglobulin test | Weakly positive |
| Platelets | 331×109/L | HIV/HBV/HCV/TB | Negative |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate | 48 mm/h | ANA, anti-Sm, anti-dsDNA, ribosomal P | Normal |
| C-reactive protein | 43.3 mg/L | CSF Protein | 0.55 g/L |
| Procalcitonin | 3.96 ng/mL | CSF Glucose | 2.05 mmol/L |
| D-dimer | 1.97 mg/L | CSF Cell count/chloride | Normal |
| Activated partial thromboplastin time | 47.6 s | CSF High-throughput testing | Epstein-Barr virus |
| C3 | 0.693 g/L | CSF Cytopathology | No malignant cells |
| C4 | 0.248 g/L | CA125 | 72.82 U/mL |
Laboratory profile at admission demonstrating hematologic, inflammatory, and renal abnormalities in a patient with SLE and subsequent PCNS-DLBCL diagnosis.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Therefore, we initiated empirical antibiotic therapy (including acyclovir and piperacillin-tazobactam). After one week of anti-infective treatment, the patient’s consciousness slightly improved, but there was no significant change in muscle strength, and white blood cells and neutrophils did not decrease significantly. A follow-up brain CT scan (performed on March 12, 2021) showed an increase in the size of the lesion (Figure 1B), and MRI also indicated an expansion of the edema surrounding the lesion in the left frontal and parietal lobes (Figures 2D, F). These findings suggested that the current treatment did not effectively control the progression of the disease. Notably, the abnormal brain signal on MRI showed a ring-enhancing pattern with a central low signal. In addition to a brain abscess, the possibility of a brain tumor could not be ruled out. For example, intracranial metastases and gliomas could form central necrosis and liquefaction, presenting as ring enhancement on CT and MRI. Therefore, to prevent further deterioration of the patient’s condition, a multidisciplinary consultation was convened, and we planned to perform a craniotomy to explore the exact nature of the lesion.
On March 2021, the patient underwent left parietal craniotomy for suspected brain abscess/tumor exploration. Intraoperative needle aspiration revealed no pus, and imaging confirmed the lesion as a brain tumor. Consequently, the procedure was changed to a Left Frontal and Parietal Brain Tumor Resection. The postoperative pathology revealed DLBCL (Figure 3). Subsequently, the patient underwent a whole-body PET-CT examination, which did not detect any lymphoma lesions in other parts of the body. The bone marrow biopsy also did not reveal any lymphoma. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with PCNS DLBCL. After the surgical removal of the lymphoma from the brain, the patient’s general condition was poor, and she was transferred to the ICU for close monitoring. When the condition stabilized, the patient continued to regularly use immunomodulatory drugs to manage her SLE.
Figure 3
Postoperatively, her condition improved with infection prophylaxis and immunomodulation, her condition gradually improved. Her consciousness became clearer, and she was able to stand independently and walk with assistance. Laboratory tests and physical examinations showed improvements (white blood cells and neutrophils returned to normal, C-reactive protein was slightly elevated, muscle strength in the right upper and lower limbs was grade 4, and all neurological pathological signs were negative). She was eventually discharged on April 1, 2021, and in the same month, she was admitted to the oncology department of our hospital to complete postoperative whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT, with a total dose of 36 Gy). During the 3-year follow-up after discharge, she regularly took Hydroxychloroquine 0.2g twice daily and Prednisone Acetate tablet 5mg once daily to maintain her condition. To date, her lymphoma has not recurred, and her NPSLE remains stable (Figure 4).
Figure 4
Discussion
This case report describes the diagnostic and therapeutic process of a patient with NPSLE who was initially misdiagnosed with a brain abscess due to a new intracranial lesion, and was ultimately diagnosed with PCNS DLBCL. The coexistence of NPSLE and PCNS DLBCL is extremely rare, with only one case previously reported in Japan ().
The patient’s initial presentation with vomiting and right limb weakness, alongside ring-enhancing MRI lesions, was highly suggestive of a brain abscess given her immunosuppressed state. However, the lack of response to antimicrobials and the lesion’s progression despite immunosuppression reduction raised suspicion for malignancy. This mimics NPSLE flares or infections but diverged critically in its radiological evolution: PCNS DLBCL often shows solitary, homogeneously enhancing lesions, but our case exhibited ring enhancement—a feature more typical of abscesses or metastatic tumors. The misdiagnosis emphasizes that atypical imaging patterns in NPSLE warrant early biopsy when empirical therapy fails.
In this case, the patient has a long history of SLE and was diagnosed with neuropsychiatric lupus and lupus nephritis at our hospital seven months ago (, ). After discharge, she regularly used corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents to control her condition, and her disease remained stable for seven months. Previous literature has shown a certain correlation between the use of mycophenolate mofetil and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) (, , ). Some previous studies have also indicated that other immunosuppressive agents, including azathioprine, methotrexate, and high accumulations of corticosteroids, can increase the risk of lymphoma (–). After only a seven-month stable period, her symptoms recurred and worsened, and cranial imaging revealed a new abnormal lesion. Therefore, the possibility of the long-term use of immunosuppressive agents predisposing to lymphoma could not be ruled out.
The patient’s journey from presenting with abnormal psychiatric symptoms and new intracranial lesions to being definitively diagnosed with PCNS DLBCL was a tortuous one. Although she had previously tested positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA 1:100) on multiple occasions, during her treatment at our hospital, her ANA and other autoantibodies tested negative. It is relatively rare for patients with NPSLE to have negative ANA and other autoimmune antibodies. Possible reasons may include the use of immunosuppressive agents, improvement in the condition, and methodological differences in laboratory interpretation of low-titer antibodies. Studies also indicated that there are indeed a number of patients who do not exhibit positive antibodies during the course of lupus (). Long-term follow-up is warranted to exclude false negativity.
This case illustrates that PCNS DLBCL should be considered in NPSLE patients with refractory neurological deficits and atypical imaging, even without systemic lymphoma. Early biopsy and multidisciplinary collaboration are critical. The paradoxical role of immunosuppression—both as a risk factor and a controllable variable—warrants further study in SLE-associated malignancies.
Statements
Data availability statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.
Ethics statement
The studies involving humans were approved by Ethics Committee of Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital. The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent for participation was not required from the participants or the participants’ legal guardians/next of kin in accordance with the national legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent was obtained from the individual(s) for the publication of any potentially identifiable images or data included in this article.
Author contributions
YZ: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Data curation. SZ: Writing – review & editing, Methodology, Investigation. YL: Data curation, Formal Analysis, Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization. SC: Data curation, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing. XG: Writing – review & editing. ZXH: Investigation, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. WD: Writing – review & editing, Data curation, Methodology, Conceptualization. YX: Conceptualization, Data curation, Writing – review & editing. ZPH: Funding acquisition, Conceptualization, Supervision, Project administration, Investigation, Writing – review & editing. TL: Supervision, Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization.
Funding
The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. ZPH received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82302025), Young Talent Support Project of Guangzhou Association for Science and Technology (QT-2024-032). TL received funding from Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2024A1515013173) and Guangdong Yiyang Healthcare Charity Foundation (JZ2022001-1).
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the patient and her family.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Summary
Keywords
neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), brain abscess, misdiagnosis, case report
Citation
Zhang Y, Zheng S, Li Y, Chen S, Guo X, Huang Z, Deng W, Xing Y, Huang Z and Li T (2025) Case Report: A case of neuropsychiatric lupus with primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Front. Immunol. 16:1636597. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1636597
Received
28 May 2025
Accepted
06 August 2025
Published
21 August 2025
Volume
16 - 2025
Edited by
Chris Wincup, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
Reviewed by
Abdalhakim Shubietah, An-Najah National University, Palestine
Fathima Nujha Nasim, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Updates
Copyright
© 2025 Zhang, Zheng, Li, Chen, Guo, Huang, Deng, Xing, Huang and Li.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Zhengping Huang, Zhuangrheu@gmail.com; Tianwang Li, litian-wang@163.com
†These authors have contributed equally to this work
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.