Primary CNS lymphoma: lymphomatous meningitis presenting as a cauda equina lesion in an AIDS patient

Neurologic complications of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) most often present as brain dysfunction and/or a polyneuropathy. We describe a unique neurological problem of a woman with AIDS who presented with a cauda equina mass due to primary CNS lymphoma. She subsequently developed a fulminant lymphomatous meningitis and died. Although previously rare, primary spinal cord lymphoma is expected to be encountered more often with the current AIDS epidemic and may be difficult to distinguish from infectious mass lesions.