Neurolymphomatosis: MRI and18FDG-PET features

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with contemporary involvement of central and peripheral nervous system: A case report and literature review

Introduction

Simultaneous involvement of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) during the same period in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is rarely documented. In this particular case, the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was pathologically confirmed, with invasion into the basal ganglia, diencephalon, and several peripheral nerves. The initial clinical manifestations were dyspnoea and hyperventilation.

Case presentation

The patient presented to the hospital with fatigue, dyspnoea, and limb pain for over 7 months, accompanied by progressive breathlessness and unconsciousness in the last 6 days. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) proved ineffective in controlling the severe shortness of breath and hyperventilation, necessitating the use of ventilator-assisted ventilation. 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG PET/CT) showed that the basal ganglia, brainstem, and multiple peripheral nerves were thickened and metabolically active. There were atypical cells in the cerebrospinal fluid; the pathology indicated invasive B-cell lymphoma, demonstrating a propensity toward diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). After receiving chemotherapy, the patient regained consciousness and was successfully weaned off ventilator assistance but died of severe pneumonia.

Discussion

The early clinical manifestations of DLBCL lack specificity, and multifocal DLBCL complicates the diagnostic process. When a single primary disease cannot explain multiple symptoms, the possibility of DLBCL should be considered, and nervous system invasion should be considered when nervous system symptoms are present. Once nervous system involvement occurs in DLBCL, whether the central or peripheral nervous system, it indicates a poor prognosis.

Recurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in sciatic and tibial nerves: A case report

Infiltration of peripheral or cranial nerves with lymphatic cells is a rare condition that is known as neurolymphomatosis (NL). The involvement could be primary or secondary and mostly occurs in patients with a history of B-cell lymphoma. The most common peripheral nerve involved is the sciatic nerve. Patients may present with painful or painless mononeuropathy or polyneuropathy, and MRI is the perfect modality to evaluate the suspicious clinical findings that may demonstrate enlargement, thickening, and enhancement of the involved nerve or an enhancing mass lesion in the course of the nerve. Biopsy can be safely performed to confirm the diagnosis. Few articles have reported the cases of peripheral nerve involvement by lymphoma as well as MRI features of this diagnosis. In this article, we report a case of NL using MRI, ultrasound, and pathologic features and also present a brief review of relevant literature.

A Case Series of Neurolymphomatosis: Role of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scan Reiterated

Neurolymphomatosis is rarely encountered in high-grade lymphomas. In this case series, we retrospectively analyzed six neurolymphomatosis cases to look for possible risk factors, common and uncommon presentations, and the lessons learned. Neuropathic pain was the most common symptom with mono or polyradiculopathy in this series. However, all lymphomatous infiltrated nerves diagnosed on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) were not symptomatic. The lumbar, brachial plexus, and trigeminal nerve were the most common sites and were depicted well on FDG PET/CT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain better delineates cranial nerves and meningeal involvement. Cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry was normal until meninges were involved. FDG PET/CT incrementally evaluated extra-neural disease sites, thus helping in deciding biopsy sites and further management. We concluded that a whole-body FDG PET/CT including limbs with MRI brain was the appropriate investigation for evaluating suspected neurolymphomatosis in advanced-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Imaging of non-neurogenic peripheral nerve malignancy-a case series and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency, clinico-pathologic and imaging features of malignant tumors in peripheral nerves which are of non-neurogenic origin (non-neurogenic peripheral nerve malignancy-PNM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our pathology database for malignant peripheral nerve tumors from 07/2014-07/2019 and performed a systematic review. Exclusion criteria were malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). Clinico-pathologic and imaging features, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC_min), and standard uptake values (SUV_max) are reported.

RESULTS

After exclusion of all neurogenic tumors (benign = 196, MPNST = 57), our search yielded 19 non-neurogenic PNMs (7%, n = 19/272), due to primary intraneural malignancy (16%, n = 3/19) and secondary perineural invasion from an adjacent malignancy (16%, n = 3/19) or metastatic disease (63%, n = 12/19). Non-neurogenic PNMs were located in the lumbosacral plexus/sciatic nerves (47%, n = 9/19), brachial plexus (32%, n = 6/19), femoral nerve (5%, n = 1/19), tibial nerve (5%, n = 1/19), ulnar nerve (5%, n = 1/19), and radial nerve (5%, n = 1/19). On MRI (n = 14/19), non-neurogenic PNM tended to be small (< 5 cm, n = 10/14), isointense to muscle on T1-W (n = 14/14), hyperintense on T2-WI (n = 12/14), with enhancement (n = 12/12), low ADC_min (0.5-0.7 × 10-3 mm²/s), and variable metabolic activity (SUV_max range 2.1-13.1). A target sign was absent (n = 14/14) and fascicular sign was rarely present (n = 3/14). Systematic review revealed 89 cases of non-neurogenic PNM.

CONCLUSION

Non-neurogenic PNMs account for 7% of PNT in our series and occur due to metastases and primary intraneural malignancy. Although non-neurogenic PNMs exhibit a non-specific MRI appearance, they lack typical signs of neurogenic tumors such as the target sign. Quantitative imaging features identified by DWI (low ADC) and F¹⁸-FDG PET/CT (high SUV) may be helpful clues to the diagnosis.

Neurolymphomatosis: a single-center experience of neuromuscular manifestations, treatments, and outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a disease characterized by the infiltration of malignant lymphocytes into the peripheral nervous system. We report clinical features, radiographic findings, modes of treatment, and outcomes of patients with NL.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated patients with NL. We extracted data, including clinical features, magnetic resolution imaging (MRI), ¹⁸F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans, cerebrospinal fluid cytology findings, the results of electrodiagnostic studies, as well as patient treatments and outcomes.

RESULTS

Ten NL patients were identified. All patients reported pain/paresthesia and weakness in the affected area. The MRI scans were abnormal in eight out of nine patients with an enhancement of the spinal nerve root, plexus, peripheral nerve trunk, and cranial nerve. The FDG PET/CT scans were positive in all patients. Radiculopathy or radiculoplexopathy was the most common electrodiagnostic finding. Neurological improvement was observed in only three patients. The condition of the nine patients who underwent multimodality treatments for cancer eventually deteriorated and the patients died.

CONCLUSIONS

NL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any type of neuropathy in patients with lymphoma. Because it could be confused with other neuropathies in lymphoma and various musculoskeletal diseases, a high index of suspicion and familiarity with clinical manifestation of NL are key. FDG PET/CT was the most sensitive diagnostic imaging modality to detect relevant neural invasion. The root within the spinal neural foramen was the most frequently affected neural structure. Early diagnosis of this rare neurologic manifestation of lymphoma may improve treatment outcomes.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma relapse presenting as extensive neurolymphomatosis

A 56-year-old woman with a history of diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (DLBCL-NHL) in remission for two years presented with weight loss and multifocal sensory/motor symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neuraxis and whole-body FDG PET/CT led to a diagnosis of secondary neurolymphomatosis (NL). MRI demonstrated extensive thickening and enhancement of multiple cranial nerves and peripheral nerve plexuses with corresponding elevated metabolism on FDG PET/CT. Treatment with chemotherapy resulted in complete response on FDG PET/CT and subsequently she underwent autologous stem cell transplantation. NL is a rare manifestation of lymphoma affecting the peripheral nervous system. Nonspecific neuropathic symptoms make clinical diagnosis difficult. Though nerve biopsy is considered the gold standard, MRI and FDG PET/CT are accepted alternatives for making the diagnosis. We review imaging findings in NL, describe the differential diagnosis, and discuss the limitations of the imaging modalities.

Secondary Neurolymphomatosis of the Radial Nerve: A Diagnostic Challenge

Patient: Male, 55

Final Diagnosis: Neurolymphomatosis of the radial nerve

Symptoms: Pain and soft tissue mass on the right arm

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Diagnosis

Specialty: Radiology

B-cell peripheral neurolymphomatosis: MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To examine the MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging characteristics of peripheral neurolymphomatosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All institutional cases of neurolymphomatosis with an MRI or ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT from 2000 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Included cases were biopsy-proven neurolymphomatosis or lymphoma patients with clinical and imaging evidence of neurolymphomatosis that resolved after chemotherapy. Multiple imaging parameters and clinical characteristics were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 27 cases of B-cell neurolymphomatosis in 25 patients (18 M, 7 F; mean age 64.6 ± 10.0 years). Of the total cases, 85% (23/27) were biopsy-proven. Most were diagnosed after disease progression or recurrence (20/27, 74%), and presented with isolated nerve involvement (18/27, 67%). Bone marrow biopsy (17/19, 89%) and CSF cytology (16/23, 70%) were usually negative. On ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, neurolymphomatosis presented as a linear or fusiform (23/26, 88%), FDG-avid (average SUVmax: 7.1 ± 4.5, range, 1.5-17.0) mass, and on MRI as a T2-weighted hyperintense (21/22, 95%), enhancing (21/22, 95%), linear or fusiform mass (19/22, 86%), with associated muscle denervation (14/22, 64%). FDG avidity was significantly higher in patients with muscular denervation on MRI (mean SUVmax 8.2 ± 4.6 vs. 4.3 ± 2.3, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

B-cell neurolymphomatosis most commonly manifests as T2-weighted hyperintense, enhancing linear or fusiform neural enlargement associated with muscular denervation on MRI, with intense FDG activity on PET/CT. It is most often an isolated site of disease, presenting after progression or recurrence. A familiarity with the imaging appearance of neurolymphomatosis can help refine the differential diagnosis, direct biopsy, and aid in accurate diagnosis.

High-grade B-cell lymphoma relapse presenting as neurolymphomatosis of the median nerve

Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is the infiltration of lymphocytes into the peripheral nervous system in a haematological malignancy. We describe the imaging features of NL in a patient with relapsed Burkitt-like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound. Imaging features on ultrasound are infrequently described and provide useful information in helping to establish an imaging diagnosis of NL. Features of NL in our patient included intense linear fluorodeoxyglucose-18 (¹⁸FDG) uptake on PET along the affected median nerve. B-mode ultrasound demonstrated concentric tubular thickening and loss of fascicular architecture. Perineural and intraneural vascularity was present on colour Doppler ultrasound. It is important to be able to correlate ultrasound findings to features observed on ¹⁸FDG-PET as this aids in diagnosis and in guiding potential surgical biopsy.

Patient With 2 Hematologic Malignancies Presenting as Neurolymphomatosis

Peripheral nervous system damage from hematologic malignancies is related to neoplastic cells infiltration of peripheral nerves or to monoclonal antibody production cross-reacting with peripheral nerves' antigens. Neurolymphomatosis (NL), a rare manifestation of hematologic malignancies, occurs when malignant cells invade the peripheral nerves leading to various manifestations. Here, we report a case of NL with 2 hematologic malignancies in a 79-year-old woman presenting with lower extremity pain/weakness. Investigation revealed anemia, IgM kappa monoclonal gammopathy, and elevated anti-MAG titer. Electrodiagnostic studies were consistent with mononeuropathy multiplex while imaging suggested malignancy in her ovaries and right S1 nerve root. Bone marrow and ovarian biopsies revealed chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She received standard chemotherapy resulting in radiographic resolution of disease and symptomatic relief. NL can precede the diagnosis of hematologic malignancy but its symptoms are not easily identifiable, whereas management depends on the treatment of the underlying tumor.