Analysis of Spiral CT Phenotypes and Features of Primary Intestinal Lymphoma

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the CT manifestations of primary intestinal lymphoma (PIL) so as to improve the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: 21 patients with PIL confirmed pathologically in our hospital from March 2013 to February 2022 were enrolled in this study, their CT phenotypes and features were analyzed. Results: All 21 cases of PIL were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 12 cases were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 3 cases were follicular lymphoma, 2 cases were NK/T-cell lymphoma, 2 cases were T-cell lymphoma, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were identified 1 case each. The lesions were located in the colon in 7 cases, ileum in 5 cases, small intestine mesentery in 4 cases, ileocecum in 2 cases, jejunum in 1 case, rectum in 1 case, and both right hemicolon and ileocecum in 1 case. CT findings showed intestinal wall infiltration in 3 cases, intestinal wall thickening in 3cases, mass in 4 cases, aneurysmal dilation in 7 cases and mesenteric multiple nodules in 4 cases. CT enhancement mostly showed homogeneous mild/moderate enhancement. Among the 21 patients, 2 case was complicated by by intestinal perforation, and 2 cases were complicated by intestinal obstruction. Conclusion: The characteristic imaging features of CT in PIL include multifocal involvement of the intestines, marked mural thickening in a focal or diffuse manner, aneurysmal dilatation of lumen, eccentric intestinal mass of uniform density and mesenteric "sandwich sign". Recognition of these signs is of diagnostic value for primary intestinal lymphoma.

Keywords

• spiral ct
• lymphoma
• intestinal neoplasms
• pathology