Unicystic Castleman disease presenting in the neck: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Castleman’s disease (CD) is an uncommon hyperplastic disorder of lymphoid tissue, clinically categorized into unicentric CD (UCD) and multicentric CD (MCD), contingent upon the number of lymph node engagement. Unicentric Castleman disease (UCD) manifests as a solitary lump, predominantly found in the mediastinum, and infrequently in the head and neck region. Unlike multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), which displays peripheral lymph node enlargement and a multitude of systemic indications, UCD usually lacks generalized symptoms. Methods: We present a case of UCD presenting as a neck mass, in a 55-year-old woman as well as a detailed literature review for Castleman’s disease. The patient had undergone surgical excision of the mass. Results: The diagnostic findings following Immunohistochemistry were consistent with Hyaline vascular type Castleman’s disease. The patient remains stable with no signs or symptoms of recurrent disease after the mass removal. Conclusion: It is crucial to include Castleman’s’ disease in the differential diagnoses of lymphadenopathies due to the fact that it can be clinically mistaken for other common causes of lymphadenopathy such as lymphoma, tuberculosis, and nodal metastases.