Differential Diagnosis for CNS Lymphoma with No Tumors Symptoms
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) without a distinct tumor mass: This diagnosis is likely because PCNSL can present with diffuse infiltration of lymphoma cells into the brain parenchyma, leading to symptoms without a clear tumor mass on imaging.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- CNS vasculitis: This condition can cause symptoms similar to CNS lymphoma, such as cognitive decline, seizures, and focal neurological deficits, without a distinct tumor mass.
- Chronic meningitis: Infections like tuberculosis, fungal meningitis, or carcinomatous meningitis can cause CNS symptoms without a tumor mass.
- Neurosarcoidosis: This condition can cause CNS symptoms due to granulomatous inflammation, which may not appear as a distinct tumor mass on imaging.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- CNS tuberculosis: Although less common, CNS tuberculosis can present with non-specific symptoms and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
- Cryptococcal meningitis: This opportunistic infection can cause severe CNS symptoms, especially in immunocompromised patients, and requires prompt treatment to prevent fatal outcomes.
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): A rare but often fatal viral infection of the brain that can present with non-specific symptoms, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- Rare diagnoses
- Lymphomatoid granulomatosis: A rare condition characterized by angiocentric and angiodestructive lymphoproliferative lesions that can affect the CNS.
- Intravascular lymphoma: A rare and aggressive type of lymphoma that can cause CNS symptoms due to infiltration of lymphoma cells into the blood vessels of the brain.