[X-ray diagnosis of non-lymphomatous lymphoid disorders of the chest]

The non-lymphomatous lymphoid disorders of the chest are rare conditions characterized by infiltration of the pulmonary interstitium with lymphocytes and plasma cells. This article reported 6 pathologically proved cases, including Castleman's disease (3), pseudolymphoma (1), angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (1), and lymphomatoid granulomatosis (1). The X-ray findings of these lesions were rather characteristic. In our series, the chest film showed large patchy areas of consolidation sometimes with the presence of air bronchogram in pseudolymphoma and lymphomatoid granulomatosis, simulating bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma or pulmonary lymphoma roentgenologically. However, the former developed very slowly with little clinical symptoms. Most of the Castleman's disease in this series were found in young adults showing conspicuous, sharply marginated mediastinal node enlargement. Recognition of the aforementioned signs would bring about greater diagnostic accuracy.