Case report
A 60-year-old man with a history of gout and prostate adenoma consulted
in August 2019 for deterioration of the general condition and a
significant weight loss of 35 kg. Clinical examination and radiological
investigation found multiple lymphadenopathies (cervical, axillary,
inguinal, mediastinal, abdominal, intra, and retroperitoneal) associated
with hepatosplenomegaly. The biopsy of inguinal lymphadenopathy showed a
blast variant mantle cell lymphoma. Hence, chemotherapy with CHOP
(cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) and
rituximab therapy (r-CHOP) were initiated and he underwent six cycles of
chemotherapy and four cycles of rituximab (protocol of 375 mg/m2 weekly
for 4 weeks) with a good clinical and radiological response always
keeping a normal renal function. Six months after the chemo and
immunotherapy completion, the patient suffered epigastralgia and
vomiting with balance sheet deterioration of renal function (creatinine
at 680 µmol / l).
He was on examination hemodynamically and respiratory stable with a
diuresis at 1.5 l / d. There was no peripheral lymphadenopathy.
Biology showed no fluid electrolyte disturbance, normochromic normocytic
anemia at 9.1g / dl, and 24-hours proteinuria at 1.76g.
The tumor markers were negative as well as the immunological assessment,
which included antinuclear, anti-glomerular basement membrane, and
anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Abdominal ultrasound showed
kidneys of normal size. There was no lymphadenopathy or
hepatosplenomegaly on computed tomography.
The acute renal failure rapidly worsened (creatinine 996 then 1042 µmol
/ l) and remained unexplained indicating an urgent renal biopsy, which
was performed within 72 h after admission. The biopsy showed a severe
acute interstitial nephritis made of lymphocytic infiltrate with many
nonnecrotizing granulomas (Figures 1&2). These findings were strongly
suggestive of sarcoidosis. So, in the absence of recent medication and
after ruling out other causes of granulomatous interstitial nephritis,
sarcoidosis was the most likely diagnosis.
The assessment of sarcoidosis did not show extra renal involvement.
Indeed, the dermatological examination did not find skin lesions, the
ophthalmological examination was without abnormality, the
thoracic-abdominal-pelvic scan did not show any signs of sarcoidosis,
and serum calcium, vitamin D, and converting enzyme levels were normal.
Oral corticosteroid therapy was initiated at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day per
os with a favorable outcome and significantly improved renal function
(creatinine from 1042 to 570 µmol /l in 8 days and to 150 µmol /l in 15
days).
At follow-up 6 and 9 months later, renal function was stable with plasma
creatinine around 120 µmol /l. He has not had a relapse of his lymphoma
or other organ involvement of SLR.