Fulminant vasculitis: A rare fatal complication of lymphoma

Vasculitis is rarely associated with lymphoma; however, most cases associated with lymphoma are cutaneous. Systemic vasculitis in association with lymphoma is usually an indolent and non-fatal complication. Two patients presented to our department with fulminant vasculitis with a fatal course and were later diagnosed with lymphoma. A search of the literature for systemic fulminant vasculitis in association with lymphoma disclosed eight case reports. We suggest that lymphoma should be considered as a possible etiology in patients with fulminant systemic vasculitis. The therapeutic implications of such an association are discussed. Copyright (C) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.