CT findings of primary pulmonary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate characteristic CT manifestations of primary pulmonary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:CT images of 14 patients [10 males and 4 females, age （54±2） years old, range 32 to 91] with pathologically-proved pulmonary DLBCL lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed．Plain CT and contrast enhanced CT imaging were performed in all 14 patients. Image characteristics including lesion size, locations and distribution, morphology and margin, density and enhancement degrees, bronchia and lesion surroundings, other thoracic extra-pulmonary manifestations, as well as distant metastasis were analyzed and recorded. The maximal diameter of mass and/or nodules, pre and post-contrast CT values were measured. Among all 14 cases, 8 cases were initially diagnosed as lung carcinoma, 5 cases as infection, one case as lymphoma.Results:Among all 14 primary lung DLBCL cases, there were 10 case with multiple lesions and 4 with single lesion. Masses and/or nodules were found in 12 cases, with the maximum diameter of the lesions as 0.8-8.2 cm, the median value as 5.3 (2.9, 7.8) cm. Two cases showed simple consolidation. The margins of the lesions were clear and smooth in 12 cases, and fuzzy in 2 cases. The density of the lesions on pre-contrast CT was relatively uniform, with mean CT value (35.1±1.0) HU. After contrast, 10 cases displayed mild to moderate homogeneous enhancement, 4 cases showed heterogenous enhancement. The mean CT value of post-contrast images was (61.8±1.5) HU. In arterial phase, the mean CT value was (50.9±1.3) HU. Angiographic sign was found in 9 cases in arterial phase. Of the 14 cases, bronchus was clear and smooth in 5 cases. In 4 cases, bronchus was found slight compressed or stenosis; and 5 cases showed intra-lesion bronchi invasion or occlusion. Interstitial tissue around the lesion was found slightly thickened in 8 cases. The pleura showed unevenly thickened and invaded in 8 cases. Mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy and fusion were found in 10 cases, with 3 cases involving mediastinal large blood vessels, and 7 cases displaying infiltrative growth pattern. There were 4 cases with pleural effusion. CT follow-up after treatment in 8 cases showed no distant metastasis (7 cases showed good prognosis, with lesions disappearing after radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgical resection; 1 case showed progressed with lesion increased after chemotherapy). Six patients abandoned the treatment and discharged from the hospital.Conclusions:Primary DLBCL is a high invasive and malignant entity with certain CT characteristics. The confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary DLBCL depends on pathological results.