CT findings in primary pulmonary lymphomas

To describe the CT findings of pathologically confirmed primary pulmonary lymphomas.

The CT examinations of 11 patients with pathologically proven primary pulmonary lymphoma (9 BALT lymphomas and 2 non-BALT lymphomas) were retrospectively reviewed by three radiologists. Evaluated findings included morphology (consolidation, mass, nodule), number and distribution of lesions. Other CT findings such as air bronchogram, lymphadenopathy, atelectasis and pleural effusion were also assessed.

Pulmonary lesions were depicted as airspace consolidation (pneumonia-like) in 5 patients (45%), tumour-like rounded opacity in 4 (36%), and nodules in 4 (36%). Multiple and bilateral lung lesions were seen in 3 patients (27%). Air bronchogram was present in 7 patients (63%), lymphadenopathy in 3 (27%), atelectasis in 4 (36%) and pleural effusion in only 1 (9%).

Our results agree with previous studies regarding lesion patterns and their relative frequency. A smaller number of nodules and multiple lesions were found compared with some previous studies. The most frequent pattern was airspace consolidation.