[Imaging findings of non-contrast CT scan, enhancement and HRCT of pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the imaging findings of non-contrast CT scan, enhancement and HRCT of pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

METHODS

All the patients with pathologically proven pulmonary MALT lymphoma underwent non-contrast CT scan, of which 7 underwent CT enhancement and 9 had HRCT. CT features of 16 patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Major CT signs of 16 cases were consolidations, nodules and masses, of which 11 had two or more signs and 5 had only one. Together with them, normal or dilated air bronchograms were seen in 13 cases, ground-glass opacity (GGO) in 10, interstitial changes and cysts in respective 5, partial atelectasis and mediastinal and hilar lymphoadenopathy in respective 4, pleural effusion in 2 and MALT lymphoma of tracheobronchial tree in 1. Multiple lesions were found in 12 cases and solitary lesion in 4 cases. Consolidations, greater tubercles and masses mostly had a peribronchovascular distribution. Micronodules occurred in a perilymphatic distribution, of which 8 accompanied other signs.On CT enhancement scans, greater tubercles in the trachea had mild enhancement; most of the consolidations and masses had obvious enhancement, while greater tubercles mostly mild enhancement. CT angiogram sign was found in 3 cases.

CONCLUSION

Most cases with pulmonary MALT lymphoma have consolidations, greater tubercles and masses with normal or dilated air bronchograms which have a peribronchovascular distribution, together with GGO and micronodules in a perilymphatic distribution; the distinctive manifestations are obvious enhancement with CT angiogram sign. Minority cases have interstitial changes, cysts, partial atelectasis, mediastinal and hilar lymphoadenopathy, pleural effusion and MALT lymphoma of tracheobronchial tree.