Solitary splenic neoplasm as an unusual presentation in an adolescent with sporadic Burkitt lymphoma

: Burkitt lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma with a high prevalence in the pediatric population. Abdominal manifestations are well known in sporadic Burkitt lymphoma and vary from nonspecific symptoms to intestinal obstruction due to intussusception; however, mass-like splenic involvement has been scarcely described.

Objective: To present a case of a patient with a splenic mass whose histopathological analysis revealed Burkitt lymphoma.

Methods: A 13-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain, progressive weight loss, and fever. Imaging studies showed a splenic mass, intestinal thickening, and ileal intussusception. Histopathological analysis of spleen biopsy revealed Burkitt lymphoma. After the first cycle of chemotherapy (BFM95-NHL protocol), abdominal symptoms resolved; no other signs suggestive of intussusception were observed, as well as a significant reduction of the splenic mass was observed.

Conclusions: Burkitt lymphoma in pediatric patients can present as a well-defined splenic tumor, causing no splenomegaly. In addition, its management does not require surgery since it can be resolved with chemotherapy.