Imaging manifestations of autoimmune disease-associated lymphoproliferative disorders of the lung

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) may involve intrathoracic organs in patients with autoimmune disease, but little is known about the radiologic manifestations of autoimmune disease-associated LPDs (ALPDs) of the lungs. The purpose of our work was to identify the radiologic characteristics of pulmonary involvement in ALPDs. A comprehensive search for PubMed database was conducted with the combination of MeSH words. All articles which had original images or description on radiologic findings were included in this analysis. Also, CT images of eight patients with biopsy-proven lymphoproliferative disorder observed from our institution were added. Overall, 44 cases of ALPD were identified, and consisted of 24 cases of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (BALToma), eight cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), six cases of lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP), two cases of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, two cases of unclassified lymphoproliferative disorder, and one case each of lymphomatoid granulomatosis and hyperblastic BALT. Multiple nodules (n = 14, 32 %) and single mass (n = 8, 18 %) were the predominant radiologic manifestations. The imaging findings conformed to previously described findings of BALToma, NHL, or LIP. Data suggest that BALToma, NHL, and LIP are the predominant ALPDs of the lung, and ALPD generally shared common radiologic features with sporadic LPDs. Familiarity with ALPDs and their imaging findings may enable radiologists or clinicians to include the disease as a potential differential diagnosis and thus, to prompt early biopsy followed by appropriate treatment.