Type B lactic acidosis, an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome

A 67-year-old male presented with anasarca and persistent non-pruritic rash of lower extremities. Physical examination was positive for subcutaneous edema with a non-blanching rash of abdomen and lower extremities. Labs showed leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, anemia and thrombocytopenia. He also had acute kidney injury and high anion gap (AG) metabolic acidosis with elevated lactic acid (11.3 mg/dL). Computerized tomography (CT) of abdomen and pelvis showed hepatosplenomegaly, ascites and abdominal lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood (PB) smear showed blastiod appearing lymphocytes. He was started on bicarbonate infusion due to persistent lactic acidosis (LA), however showed no significant improvement. He was started on IV dexamethasone on 3rd day of hospitalization based on preliminary result of peripheral picture which led to some improvement in LA. Following the confirmation of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) on bone marrow (BM) biopsy and immunophenotyping, the patient started receiving VR-CAP regimen (bortezomib, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone) which led to significant improvement in LA and leukocytosis. After discharge, he received further chemotherapy with resolution of the LA and normalization of blood counts. Restaging tests confirmed a complete remission with resolution of the skin rash, resolution of the pathological lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly on imaging, and absence of lymphoma on a repeat BM biopsy.