From CT to Microscopy: Radiological-Histopathological Correlation for Understanding Abdominal Lymphomas

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Hematology

Background:

• Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are diverse lymphoproliferative neoplasms with varied clinical presentations.
• Computed tomography (CT) is crucial for imaging abdominal lymphomas, but definitive diagnosis requires histopathology.
• Understanding CT-histopathology correlations aids in lymphoma diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics with histopathological subtypes of abdominal lymphomas.
• To identify imaging features that differentiate indolent from aggressive abdominal lymphomas.
• To enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for abdominal lymphomas.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 119 patients with histopathologically confirmed abdominal lymphomas.
• Extraction of CT parameters including morphology, location, size, and postcontrast enhancement.
• Comparison of CT findings across different histopathological lymphoma types.

Main Results:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) wall thickening, solid masses, and infiltrates were more common in aggressive B-cell NHL.
• Aggressive B-cell lymphomas were significantly larger at diagnosis compared to other types.
• Lymphomas originating from the GI tract showed the highest postcontrast enhancement.

Conclusions:

• CT imaging demonstrates characteristic differences between indolent and aggressive abdominal lymphomas.
• Extranodal lymphomas are frequently aggressive B-cell types, larger in size, and exhibit significant enhancement.
• These imaging-histopathology correlations improve diagnostic capabilities and inform lymphoma management strategies.