Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma on FDG PET/CT

Unusual Presence of Synchronous Primary Ovarian and Thyroid Extranodal Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Without Lymph Node Involvement

ABSTRACT

Extranodal lymphomas without lymph node involvement are rarely observed and create diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 33-year-old woman who was admitted with abdominal swelling. Ultrasonography findings suggested bilateral ovarian masses. 18 F-FDG PET/CT revealed intense uptake on the bilateral pelvic mass and thyroid gland. Following excisional surgery and thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This case is exceptionally rare, as it presents 2 synchronous extranodal involvements in the ovaries and the thyroid gland independently while not presenting any lymph node activity, which has not been reported before.

18F-FDG PET/CT assists the diagnosis of primary pancreatic lymphoma: Two case reports and literature review

Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is a rare malignancy, which is defined as a mass centered in pancreas with involvement of contiguous lymph nodes and distant spread may exist. Accurate diagnosis of PPL prior to pathological confirmation remains challenging, underscoring the critical significance of preoperative imaging assessments. This case report collected two instances of PPL that underwent initial evaluation via 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) between August 2021 and July 2022. Correspondingly, pertinent literature encompassing 18F-FDG PET/CT data related to PPL was meticulously reviewed. Including our aforementioned pair of cases, a cumulative total of 25 instances of PPL were assembled. The distinctive profile of 18F-FDG PET/CT images of PPL predominantly manifests as hypermetabolic lesions with diminished density. Primarily characterized by singular lesions and comparatively substantial volumetric dimensions, a total of eleven cases revealed contiguous lymph node engagement, with five instances displaying distant dissemination encompassing lymph nodes in multiple locations. Amongst these, ten patients underwent sequential 18F-FDG PET/CT follow-up post-intervention. In comparison to pancreatic carcinoma, PPL lesions exhibited heightened hypermetabolism, augmented volumetric proportions, and distinct patterns of distant metastasis. This study indicates that the pivotal role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic efficacy in PPL is unequivocal. Combined with the clinical attributes of patients, the integration of 18F-FDG PET/CT augments the differential diagnostic capacity differentiating PPL from pancreatic carcinoma.

Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma Masquerading as Carcinoma on 18F-FDG PET/CT

ABSTRACT

A 76-year-old man with yellowish discoloration of sclera and skin for 2 months was referred to 18F-FDG PET/CT for metabolic characterization of the mass in the pancreas. The images showed intense FDG uptake in the head of the pancreas, as well as a lymph nodal mass in the hepatic hilar region, which was consistent with pancreatic malignancy. Histopathologic findings showed characteristic findings of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with no evidence of adenocarcinoma.

Primary hepatopancreatobiliary lymphoma: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Primary hepatopancreatobiliary lymphoma (PHPBL) is extremely rare, which is defined as a lympho-proliferative disease confined to the hepatobiliary system and pancreas without any involvement of lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organs. The clinical and imaging manifestations of PHPBL are variable and non-special, which are akin to those of tumors of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic systems. The overall prognosis and management of PHPBL differ from those of other tumors in the hepatobiliary system and pancreas. Proper diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential for improving clinical outcomes. Due to its rarity, the optimal treatment has not been issued. However, combination chemotherapy is considered as a standard treatment for them. This review provides an overview of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, pathology, and management of PHPBL and offers clinicians the diagnosis and management schedule for PHPBL.

18F-FDG PET/CT Findings in HIV-Positive Patient With Primary Pancreas Lymphoma and CMV Pancreatitis

ABSTRACT

A 35-year-old HIV-positive man with abdominal pain was referred to 18F-FDG PET/CT for metabolic characterization of mass in pancreas. PET/CT images showed intense FDG uptake in head of the pancreas, as well as diffuse moderate uptake throughout body and tail of the pancreas. Histopathological results revealed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated large B-cell lymphoma and pancreatitis caused by cytomegalovirus.

FDG PET/CT Showing a Primary Lymphoma of the Sternoclavicular Joint

ABSTRACT

We presented a case of primary lymphoma of the sternoclavicular joint. A 67-year-old woman with a history of swelling at the sternoclavicular joint region was considered as osteoarthritis initially. Chest CT found a soft tissue mass around the sternoclavicular joint. Biopsy demonstrated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The subsequent FDG PET/CT revealed FDG-avid articular destruction with surrounding soft tissue mass without any other abnormal findings, suggesting a primary extranodal lymphoma of sternoclavicular joint.

PET/CT Variants and Pitfalls in Liver, Biliary Tract, Gallbladder and Pancreas

A wide variety of pathological anomalies may occur in the liver, biliary system, and pancreas. It is a necessity to use many different imaging techniques in order to distinguish such varied pathologies, especially those from malignant processes. Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) is an imaging method that has proven its diagnostic value in oncology and can be used for different clinical purposes. Fluoro-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose has a wide range of uses as a dominant radiopharmaceutical in routine molecular imaging, however, molecular imaging has started to play a more important role in personalized cancer treatment in recent years with new Fluoro-18 and Gallium-68 labeled tracers. Although molecular imaging has a strong diagnostic effect, the surprises and pitfalls of molecular imaging can lead us to unexpected and misleading results. Prior to PET/CT analysis and reporting, information about possible technical and physiological pitfalls, normal histological features of tissues, inflammatory pathologies, specific clinical features of the case, treatment-related complications and past treatments should be evaluated in advance to avoid misinterpretation. In this review, the physiological and pathophysiological variants as well as pitfalls encountered in PET/CT imaging of the liver, biliary tract, gallbladder, and pancreas will be examined. Other benign and malignant pathologies that have been reported to date and that have led to incorrect evaluation will be listed. It is expected that the devices, software, and artificial intelligence applications that will be developed in the near future will enable much more effective and faster imaging that will reduce the potential causes of error. However, as a result of the dynamic and evolving structure of the information obtained by molecular imaging, the inclusion of the newly developed radiopharmaceuticals in routine practice will continue to carry new potentials as well as new troubles. Although molecular imaging will be the flagship of diagnostic oncology in the 21st century, the correct analysis and interpretation by the physician will continue to form the basis of achieving optimal performance.

Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma: Recommendations for Diagnosis and Management

BACKGROUND

Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is a rare disease representing 0.1% of all malignant lymphomas, which lacks well-defined diagnostic and therapeutic protocols. We conducted a systematic review to analyze demographic, diagnostic and therapeutic features of PPL.

METHODS

This review identified small series and single case reports. Sources were MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane library from January 2001 to December 2020. Data were screened, extracted and the risk of bias analyzed by three independent reviewers.

RESULTS

A total of 107 eligible papers (17 small series, 90 single case reports) describing 266 patients were identified. Patients had a median age of 53.1 (range 3-86) years and were males in 64.6% of cases. Abdominal pain and jaundice were the most common presenting symptoms, affecting 75.3% and 41.8% of patients, respectively. PPL had a median size of 60.6 mm (range 16-200) and it was localized in the pancreatic head in 63.7% of cases. At diagnosis most patients underwent ultrasonography followed by computed tomography. PPL typically showed low echogenicity, and lower contrast enhancement than solid tumors. Histopathological specimens were obtained by percutaneous or endoscopic biopsies in 47.7% of patients; abdominal surgery was performed in 33.5% of cases. Overall, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was the most frequent histological diagnosis (53.6%). However, patients aged <18 years were affected by Burkitt lymphoma in 52.4% of cases. Most patients (53.6%) received immunochemotherapy (IC) or IC plus radiotherapy (14%). Demolitive surgery appeared to be associated with impaired survival. Central nervous system (CNS) relapse or progression was observed in 20% of patients.

CONCLUSION

PPL is a rare entity, with some peculiar features at modern imaging. For diagnostic purposes percutaneous or endoscopic biopsies might be preferable, as opposed to surgery. No definite data is available about the optimal treatment, which should be tailored on the histological type and associated with CNS prophylaxis.