Primary Ileal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with Acute Intestinal Obstruction: Case Report and Narrative Literature Review

Main Article Content

Verena Adélia de Moura e Silva
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2119-7688
Larissa Sena de Lucena
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0607-3417
Antônio de Sá Barreto Gondim Neto
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8365-180X
Francisco de Assis Guedes de Oliveira Filho
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8942-7715
Maria Augusta de Oliveira e Lira
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5521-5412
Maria Emília Calado Dantas
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1458-1672
Maria Alinne Pires Matias
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9870-3547

Abstract

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but primary ileal presentation is rare and may mimic abdominal emergencies. We report the case of a 40-year-old man with acute intestinal obstruction and no B symptoms. Abdominal CT revealed stenotic wall thickening at the jejunoileal transition and lymphadenopathy. Emergency laparotomy with segmental enterectomy was performed. Immunohistochemical analysis showed CD20+, Bcl-2+, PAX-5+, Ki-67 70% DLBCL, with CD3 expression in reactive T lymphocytes, and CD10-, Bcl-6-, and MUM-1-, classifying the tumor as the non-GCB subtype according to the Hans algorithm. Complete staging was limited by the emergency setting and the limited resources of the service. After six cycles of R-CHOP, the patient achieved complete metabolic remission (Deauville 2) on follow-up PET/CT, with no recurrence. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of ileal DLBCL as a cause of acute obstructive abdomen and the effectiveness of emergency surgical resection followed by immunochemotherapy, even in aggressive non-GCB subtypes, while demonstrating the diagnostic limitations imposed by the emergency setting.

Article Details

How to Cite
de Moura e Silva, V. A., Lucena, L. S. de, Gondim Neto, A. de S. B., Oliveira Filho, F. de A. G. de, de Oliveira e Lira, M. A., Calado Dantas, M. E., & Pires Matias, M. A. (2026). Primary Ileal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with Acute Intestinal Obstruction: Case Report and Narrative Literature Review. Brazilian Journal of Case Reports, 6(1), bjcr224. https://doi.org/10.52600/2763-583X.bjcr.2026.6.1.bjcr224
Section
Clinical Case Reports
Author Biographies

Verena Adélia de Moura e Silva, Paraíba School of Public Health (ESP-PB)

Paraíba School of Public Health (ESP-PB), Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

Larissa Sena de Lucena, Paraíba School of Public Health (ESP-PB)

Paraíba School of Public Health (ESP-PB), Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

Antônio de Sá Barreto Gondim Neto, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG)

Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

Francisco de Assis Guedes de Oliveira Filho, UNIFACISA University Center

UNIFACISA University Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

Maria Augusta de Oliveira e Lira, UNIFACISA University Center

UNIFACISA University Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

Maria Emília Calado Dantas, UNIFACISA University Center

UNIFACISA University Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

Maria Alinne Pires Matias, UNIFACISA University Center

UNIFACISA University Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

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