A case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the lung demonstrating diffuse ground-glass shadows

We report a case of 77-year-old woman suffering from breathlessness on exertion and dry cough. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse ground-glass shadows. A video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy resulted in the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Gene rearrangement analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was performed on the cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and showed the clonality of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene, supporting the diagnosis. DLBCL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diffuse ground-glass shadows in the chest CT, and gene rearrangement analysis may have an impact on the diagnosis of pulmonary DLBCL.