How we manage Bing-Neel syndrome.

Bing-Neel syndrome (BNS) is an uncommon presentation of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM), seen during the course of the disease in about 1% of patients. BNS occurs when WM cells gain access to the central nervous system (CNS) causing neurological deficits. The diagnosis of BNS is suggested by the presence of radiological abnormalities, such as leptomeningeal enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by the presence of clonal lymphoplasmacytic cells and MYD88 L265P in the cerebrospinal fluid. The treatment of BNS requires agents with good penetration into the CNS, such as fludarabine, methotrexate and cytarabine. The novel Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor ibrutinib has shown CNS-penetrating properties, and recent data suggest a therapeutic role in BNS. In this review, we will discuss the clinical and pathological features, diagnostic criteria, treatment options and outcomes of patients with BNS.

© 2019 British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.