부산대학교 도서관

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is an uncommon lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with excessive production of immunoglobulin M monoclonal protein. Common symptoms and signs include general weakness, fatigue, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, or hyperviscosity syndrome (bleeding, vision loss or neurological disturbance). Both epistaxis and acute visual change are common complaints in clinical practice and require meticulous evaluation to confirm the etiology. If blood dyscrasia is the cause, systemic workup is necessary to achieve definite diagnosis and best management. Once Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is impressed, even asymptomatic in the initial stage, it is necessary to start monitoring the lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma cells in the hematopoietic organ and the monoclonal IgM in peripheral blood. With precise evaluation of the genetic status, accurate diagnosis, suitable treatment for symptomatic patients, better outcome or prognosis can be achieved. We herein report a 61-year-old male with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia presenting initially as refractory recurrent epistaxis followed by sudden visual loss due to simultaneous bilateral central venous stasis retinopathy.