Overview
Calvarial lymphoma is a rare condition that can mimic central nervous system diseases due to its presentation and imaging findings 1. The most common presentation is a subcutaneous scalp mass 1.Diagnosis
Subcutaneous scalp mass (89%), headaches (26%), and focal neurological deficits (21%) are common presentations 1.
Osteolytic changes on computed tomography are seen in 69% of patients, with extension into the intracranial or extracranial space in 97% 1.
Calvarial lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a progressively enlarging scalp mass 1.Management
Surgical excision was performed in 41 patients, achieving an 85% remission rate and a 5% recurrence rate 1.
Non-surgical treatment resulted in a 75% remission rate and 0% recurrence rate, with no significant difference compared to surgical treatment 1.
Treatment approaches have included variable use of surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation 1.Key Recommendations
Calvarial lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a progressively enlarging scalp mass 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Surgical excision may be considered for calvarial lymphoma, with reported remission rates of 85% and recurrence rates of 5% 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Non-surgical management has shown comparable remission rates (75%) and recurrence rates (0%) to surgical intervention 1. (Evidence: Moderate)References
1 Toyota E, Taslimi S, Alkins R. Optimal Management of Calvarial Lymphoma: A Meta-Analysis. World neurosurgery 2021. link