CT and MR Imaging of Primary Nasal Lymphoma: Usefulness at Initial Diagnosis and Follow-up

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe CT and MR findings of Primary nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma and to evaluate the usefulness ofCt and MR imaging for initial diagnosis and during follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients withbiopsy-proven primary nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (M8, F5;age 30-78, mean47.3 years) were included in this study.CT scans were obtained in seven patients and MR images in ten, and both CT and MR images in four. Duringfollow-up, CT images were obtained in four patients, MR images in eight, and both types of image in two. Signalintensity or attenuation, location, and shape of the tumor were assessed on CT and MR images, which were alsocompared in terms of evaluation of the extent of the tumor and the assessment of residual tumor during follow-up. RESULTS: Enhanced CT scans showed slightly lower(6/7) or iso-attenuation (1/7) or the tumor than of the wall ofthe nasal cavity. In all cases, the tumor was of slightly lower signal intensity on T2WI and gadolinium-enhancedT1WI than nasal cavity mucosa. Infiltrative wall thickening of the nasal cavity (13/13) and a polypoid mass (5/13)were demonstrated on CT and MR images. The tumor margin was partially indistinct (6/7) or distinct (1/7) oninitial CT, but distinctily identified on initial MR images in all cases. During follow-up, MR was superior to CTfor the assessment of residual tumor in two patients. CONCLUSION: Infiltrative wall thickening of the nasalcavity may be a characteristic feature of primary nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma, and MR images were superior to CT forthe assessment of tumor extent and for the diagnosis of residual tumor during follow-up.