Small-bowel lymphoma and regional enteritis: radiographic similarities

Lymphoma and regional enteritis may demonstrate strikingly similar patterns in the small bowel. Fifty cases of regional enteritis and small-bowel lymphoma were reviewed. Of these, there were 12 cases of both diseases in which a confident radiographic distinction could not be made. Both diseases may narrow the terminal ileum, present as inflammatory processes, and demonstrate nodular patterns. Other similarities include aneurysmal dilatation, several types of ulceration, fistula formation, mesenteric masses, and involvement of the terminal ileum either alone or in association with skip areas. Clinical implications and the pathologic processes responsible for the radiographic similarity between these entities are discussed.