Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of primary splenic lymphoma

The findings on the CEUS of diffuse large B cell lymphoma in abdomen: A case report and literature review

Background

PET-CT is the first choice for the imaging diagnosis of intraperitoneal lymphomas. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is rare in the diagnosis of intraperitoneal nodal lymphoma.

Case summary

A 62-year-old man was admitted for examination with "right upper abdominal pain". Ultrasound was used to refer to the masses in the hilar region, spleen, and anterior sacral region respectively. The masses were all hypoechoic, and blood flow signals could be detected by CDFI. Laboratory tests of CA125 were within normal limits. CEUS examination was performed on the three masses respectively. The three masses showed different perfusion patterns. Thickened vessels appeared around the mass in the hilar region, a peripheral centrally directed perfusion pattern was observed in the splenic mass, and blood supply vessels appeared in the center of the presacral mass with a significant filling defect. They all showed a contrast pattern with rapid clearance and hypoenhancement compared with the surrounding areas. Ultrasound guided needle biopsy revealed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, non-germinal center origin. After biopsy, the patient was treated with R-CHOP regimen for chemotherapy, and the tumor disappeared by routine ultrasound review after 5 cycles of chemotherapy.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to describe the findings of CEUS in intraperitoneal nodal lymphoma. CEUS has various manifestations in intraperitoneal nodal lymphoma. Future studies are still needed to explore the diagnostic features of CEUS in intraperitoneal nodal lymphoma.

The Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Differentiating Splenic Tuberculosis From Splenic Lymphoma

AIM

To summarize the features of splenic tuberculosis and splenic lymphoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and examine the application of CEUS in differentiating splenic tuberculosis from splenic lymphoma.

METHODS

The ultrasound and CEUS manifestations of 30 cases of splenic tuberculosis and 19 cases of splenic lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed, and the number of lesions, degree of splenomegaly, internal echogenicity, color blood flow signal, and CEUS manifestations of the two diseases were statistically determined.

RESULTS

A significant difference was noted in the internal echogenicity between splenic tuberculosis and splenic lymphoma lesions, particularly the strip-shaped hyperechoic areas of the lesions. The ultrasound features of perisplenic, retroperitoneal, and superficial lymph node enlargement were found to overlap (p < 0.05). Splenic tuberculosis showed heterogeneous enhancement and non-enhancement, whereas lymphoma showed low enhancement and high enhancement, and CEUS findings were statistically significant in distinguishing both, p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Splenic tuberculosis is characterized by a lack of blood supply, mostly heterogeneous enhancement, and non-enhancement noted in CEUS. Splenic lymphoma lesions are often characterized by a rich blood supply and homogeneous enhancement on CEUS. CEUS can help identify the microcirculation of lesions in both patients with splenic lymphoma and patients with splenic tuberculosis. Thus, CEUS has great application value.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the spleen, pancreas and gallbladder in children

Gray-scale and color/power Doppler ultrasound (US) are the first-line imaging modalities to evaluate the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas in children. The increasing use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a reliable and safe method to evaluate liver lesions in the pediatric population promises potential for imaging other internal organs. Although CEUS applications of the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas have been well described in adults, they have not been fully explored in children. In this manuscript, we present an overview of the applications of CEUS for normal variants and diseases affecting the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas. We highlight a variety of cases as examples of how CEUS can serve in the diagnosis and follow-up for such diseases in children. Our discussion includes specific examination techniques; presentation of the main imaging findings in various benign and malignant lesions of the spleen, gallbladder and pancreas in children; and acknowledgment of the limitations of CEUS for these organs.

Primary lymphoma of the spleen mimicking simple benign cysts: contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and other imaging findings

We report on a case of incidentally detected primary splenic lymphoma mimicking simple benign cysts on abdominal ultrasonography. On contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), the lesions showed isoenhancement in the arterial phase with progressive washout and marked hypoenhancement in the parenchymal phase. This pattern enabled us to suspect the malignant nature of the disease, thus preventing a dangerous misdiagnosis. Accordingly, further characterization with other imaging studies (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography) was pursued based on CEUS and taking into account the patient's clinical picture and medical history. Collectively, imaging data led us to a diagnosis of suspected primary splenic malignancy, most probably lymphoma, which was histologically confirmed on the surgical specimen after splenectomy.

Primary splenic lymphoma presenting with ascites

An 84 year-old gentleman presented with abdominal distension, anorexia and occasional epigastric pain over a four-week period. Blood parameters revealed a hypochromic microcytic anaemia. Both CT and US scan identified ascites and a mass in the left upper quadrant. An ascitic tap was performed identifying bloody ascites and the presence of reactive mesothelial cells on cytology. A subsequent laparotomy and splenectomy was performed. Histology of the resected spleen revealed a Grade 2 follicular lymphoma (Figure 2). The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was well at 6 months follow up. The spleen is an organ with an important immunological function. Primary splenic involvement occurs in less than 1% of non-hodgkin's lymphoma. Symptoms of primary splenic lymphoma (PSL) include pyrexia, weight-loss, night sweats, generalised weakness and left upper quadrant pain secondary to spleno - megaly. Ascites is a rare presenting feature of PSL. This report illustrates a case of primary splenic lymphoma which poses diagnostic challenges for the pathologist and clinician and ultimately requires definitive splenectomy to confirm a diagnosis.Figure 2Photograph of histology slide displaying the lymphoma at 10× magnification.