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Research Article | Volume 19 Issue 2 (April-June, 2026) | Pages 123 - 131
Scalp Nodules as the Presenting Sign of Occult High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma: A Diagnostic Dilemma Amid Concurrent Infectious Illness
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1
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), Glen Head, NY, USA
2
Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, New York City, NY, USA
3
Department of Dermatology, The State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Under a Creative Commons license
Open Access
Received
May 6, 2026
Revised
May 10, 2026
Accepted
May 20, 2026
Published
May 29, 2026
Abstract

Cutaneous scalp involvement as the initial manifestation of high-grade B-cell lymphoma, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), is rare and diagnostically challenging — particularly when a concurrent infectious illness produces overlapping systemic findings. We report a 58-year-old male from St. Kitts and Nevis with a history of diabetes mellitus type 2 who presented to the emergency department with tender scalp nodules and right periorbital papules. In the weeks prior, he had been hospitalized in St. Kitts with a leukemoid reaction (peak WBC 57,200/μL), fever, scleral icterus, and transaminitis, attributed to presumed Lyme disease and treated with IV ceftriaxone. On admission, examination revealed non-tender scalp nodules without erythema, bilateral cervical adenopathy, and hepatomegaly. Laboratory findings were notable for anemia (hemoglobin 9.1 g/dL), leukocytosis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (440 U/L), a 20-pound weight loss, and prior night sweats. A comprehensive infectious workup — including blood cultures, HIV, viral hepatitis, CMV, EBV, Lyme serology, malaria PCR, and Quantiferon-TB Gold — was entirely negative, as was a myeloma screen. Imaging revealed scalp nodularity with punctate dermal calcifications on CT head, and CT abdomen/pelvis demonstrated a 2.0 cm exophytic pancreatic body mass, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and bilateral lymphadenopathy; MRI pancreas confirmed a suspected pancreatic neoplasm. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the left axillary lymph node established the diagnosis of high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and PET/CT was ordered for staging. This case highlights that scalp nodules and periorbital papules may serve as sentinel cutaneous manifestations of systemic DLBCL. Clinicians should maintain a broad oncologic differential when evaluating new scalp lesions accompanied by constitutional symptoms and lymphadenopathy, even when a competing infectious diagnosis appears compelling.

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