Dynamic CT in pancreatic lymphoma

We retrospectively reviewed the dynamic CT examinations of eight patients with pancreatic lymphoma. Four tumors were rounded masses with well-defined contours, four were more infiltrating lesions. The median cross-sectional diameter of the tumors was 6 cm (range 2.5-12 cm). At dynamic CT, the tumors were hypodense (n = 8) and somewhat heterogeneous (n = 6). Additional features were enlarged lymph nodes, 1-3 cm in diameter (n = 5), dilatation of the biliary tract and pancreatic duct (n = 5), abnormalities in the fat around the celiac trunk and/or the superior mesenteric artery (n = 4), and venous stenosis or occlusion (n = 7). The CT findings of pancreatic lymphoma are more various than has been previously reported. Findings such as small tumor size, well-defined contours, tumor heterogeneity, pancreatic duct dilatation, and venous invasion may be seen. Pancreatic lymphoma cannot be reliably distinguished from pancreatic carcinoma by CT findings alone.