[The clinical diagnosis and analysis of pulmonary mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE

To improve the diagnosis of pulmonary mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (PMALT) lymphoma.

METHOD: The clinical and radiographic data of 13 cases of pathology confirmed PMALT lymphoma admitted from June 1998 to June 2006 were respectively analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 9 males and 4 females, with an average age of 55 years. The course of the disease was 1.5 - 108 months (average 14 months). Clinical features were nonspecific, with mild symptoms including cough, chest pain, breathlessness, hemoptysis, fever, and weight loss. Some cases were suspected in the routine physical examination. Chest radiography showed multiple lesions, commonly bilateral (7/13). The lesions were of varied manifestations, including masses (2/13), nodules (2/13), increased airspace consolidation with air bronchogram (9/13) and pleural fluid (4/13). Bronchial stenosis and inflammation (6/13) were present under bronchoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

PMALT is not common, and tends to affect middle aged and older males. The disease progresses slowly and the clinical features are nonspecific.