Imaging of Pulmonary Malignant Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Malignant pulmonary lymphomas involve clonal lymphocyte proliferation in the lung.
• Classified as primary (e.g., MALT lymphoma) or secondary (e.g., DLBCL, Hodgkin lymphoma).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the diverse imaging findings of malignant pulmonary lymphomas.
• To highlight the role of imaging in the diagnosis and management of lung lymphomas.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings in patients with histopathologically confirmed pulmonary lymphomas.
• Correlation of imaging features with lymphoma subtypes and clinical presentation.

Main Results:

• Imaging reveals diverse patterns including nodules, masses, consolidations, and reticular or miliary patterns.
• Specific imaging features can suggest primary versus secondary lung lymphoma.

Conclusions:

• Imaging is vital for initial suspicion, localization, staging, and treatment monitoring of pulmonary lymphomas.
• Definitive diagnosis requires histopathology and immunophenotyping, but imaging guides the diagnostic process.