B-cell lymphoma of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT): CT features in 10 patients

The purpose of this work was to describe the CT findings of pathologically confirmed bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) lymphoma in 10 patients.

The CT examinations of 10 patients with pathologically proven BALT lymphoma were reviewed retrospectively by two radiologists. Evaluated findings included number and distribution of lesions. We also assessed other CT findings such as presence of airspace consolidation, nodules, ground-glass attenuation, bubble-like radiolucencies, air bronchogram, bronchial dilatation, and lymphadenopathy.

Pulmonary lesions were revealed as airspace consolidation in six patients (60%) and nodule(s) in six (60%). Multiplicity of disease was seen in seven patients (70%) and bilateral lung lesions in six (60%). Areas of ground-glass attenuation were seen in seven patients (70%). Bubble-like radiolucencies were present in five patients (50%) and air bronchogram in nine (90%). Findings of bronchial dilatation and lymphadenopathy were seen in three patients (30%).

BALT lymphomas usually appear as airspace consolidation or nodules with air bronchogram or adjacent ground-glass attenuation at CT. These findings are similar to previous descriptions of pseudolymphomas. Multiple bilateral lesions are common in BALT lymphoma. Bubble-like radiolucencies have not been described previously and can be an additional finding of BALT lymphoma.