Four autopsy cases of CNS lymphoma: consideration of unknown causes of death.

The authors present four autopsy cases of primary CNS lymphoma. In each case death was due to different causes. Case 1 was a typical cerebral herniation. Case 2 was brain stem lymphoma diffusely spread after leukemoid reaction. Patient 3 died because of cerebral and brain stem degeneration without evidence of lymphoma cells. Case 4 was unique and the cause of death was not even established by autopsy (definite unknown death case). Taking together these facts, the authors consider the patho-physiology of CNS lymphoma and indicate that herniation is not frequent after various therapeutic treatments.