Epstein-Barr virus associated extranodal natural killer T cell lymphoma of nasal type mimicking pyogenic osteomyelitis of the proximal humerus.

Extranodal natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma/leukemia, nasal type, is rare but highly aggressive. These neoplasms are found to be associated with infection of the Epstein-barr virus (EBV). We report a male patient who suffered from EBV associated NK/T cell lymphoma of the proximal humerus but presented as pyogenic osteomyelitis with the clinical signs and symptoms of fever, local erythema, elevated erythrocyte sedimation rate and C-reactive protein. The patient was treated using antibiotic therapy but the clinical course did not improve until the initiation of systemic chemotherapy. The patient developed tumor recurrence and died due to pneumonia and respiratory failure 10 months after the initial diagnosis. The purpose of this case report was to emphasize the unusual presentation of a neoplasm mimicking osteomyelitis.