The diagnostic value of lymph node biopsy to detect Castleman’s disease

Abstract

HIV is not indicated in the aetiology of Castleman’s disease. However, it impacts on the prevalence and natural history of this disease and signi cantly on the disease progression. Castleman’s disease is a uni- or multicentric disease of the lymph node with or without polyclonal proliferation of B-cells. It is a morphologically distinct form of lymph node hyperplasia and is characterised by signi cant architectural changes in all lymphatic compartments. Histopathologically, the disease is classi ed into two major subtypes: the hyaline-vascular type and the plasma-cell type. A mixed type is also identi ed, as there are frequent transitions between the types. e diagnosis of Castleman’s disease needs to be made histologically. Treatment modalities include surgery, which is curative for unicentric disease, and systemic therapy, which is needed for multicentric disease. is case highlights the diagnostic value of lymph node excision biopsy in HIV-infected patients.