Primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma of the face other than mycosis fungoides. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance findings.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the radiologic findings of primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) of the face other than mycosis fungoides.

METHODS

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 5 consecutive patients with pathologically proven primary facial PTCL other than mycosis fungoides were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with PTCL involving the sinonasal cavity or lymph nodes were excluded.

RESULTS

Diagnoses of patients included in this study consisted of natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (n = 2), subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (n = 1), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n = 1), and PTCL not otherwise specified (n = 1). Infiltration or swelling of the superficial space of the face was noted on both CT and MRI, mimicking inflammation or infection. Also seen were well-enhancing small nodular (n = 2) or infiltrative mass-like lesions (n = 2) within the areas of infiltration, which showed intermediate signal intensity on T2-weighted images. One patient demonstrated infiltration and swelling alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary facial PTCL is a rarely encountered tumor and demonstrates infiltration or swelling mimicking inflammation or infection. Nodular or infiltrative mass-like lesions may be helpful for its diagnosis.