Burkitt's Lymphoma Located in the Orbit: A Case Report

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive, fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that originates in B lymphocytes; it is more common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. BL is considered an AIDS-defining cancer. A young patient was being treated for HIV infection with orbital localization mimicking the clinical picture of orbital cellulitis. The patient underwent paracanthal surgical exploration of the left orbital cavity and an endosinusal biopsy, which confirmed a diagnosis of BL. Ocular involvement is extremely rare, but its presence in malignant hematological disorders may be indicative of the disease, requiring, in this case, an assessment of its extent to guide treatment and follow-up examinations. The histopathological diagnosis of BL is based on a biopsy of a lymph node or organ that may be affected. Polychemotherapy is the best treatment option. Although rare, BL is a highly malignant cancer. It is a medical emergency requiring polychemotherapy.