Tubercular Meningitis and Lymphadenitis Mimicking a Relapse of Burkitt's Lymphoma on (18)F-FDG-PET/CT: A Case Report

Comparative analysis of F-18 FDG PET/CT images between scrub typhus and systemic lupus erythematosus

This study evaluated the use of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging to differentiate between scrub typhus and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients presenting with lymphadenopathy. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 18 scrub typhus patients and seven SLE patients, using various imaging parameters, including lymph node size, spleen and liver lengths, the distance between the two farthest lesions (Dmax), and assessments of glucose metabolism. On FDG PET images, we measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver and the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) of the liver and spleen. The Dmax values of scrub typhus patients were significantly longer than those of SLE patients, indicating that lymphadenopathy is more generalized in the patients with scrub typhus. The SUVmax values for the lymph node, spleen, and liver were also higher in patients with scrub typhus, while the SUVmean of the liver and spleen did not differ between the two groups. This study is the first to compare FDG PET/CT images between these two conditions, suggesting the potential of this imaging modality to provide critical diagnostic distinctions.

Neuroimaging Patterns of Intracranial Infections: Meningitis, Cerebritis, and Their Complications

Neuroimaging provides rapid, noninvasive visualization of central nervous system infections for optimal diagnosis and management. Generalizable and characteristic imaging patterns help radiologists distinguish different types of intracranial infections including meningitis and cerebritis from a variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and/or parasitic causes. Here, we describe key radiologic patterns of meningeal enhancement and diffusion restriction through profiles of meningitis, cerebritis, abscess, and ventriculitis. We discuss various imaging modalities and recent diagnostic advances such as deep learning through a survey of intracranial pathogens and their radiographic findings. Moreover, we explore critical complications and differential diagnoses of intracranial infections.

Increased Risk of Lymphoma in Men or the Elderly Infected with Tuberculosis

Purpose

To identify factors associated with lymphoma in patients with prior Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Methods

A retrospective case-control analysis was performed in a highly tuberculosis (TB)-endemic area. Patients with a history of TB before the diagnosis of lymphoma were retrospectively identified. Inpatients with lymphoma (n=1,057) and pathologically confirmed benign diseases (n=12,916) were consecutively enrolled at Xinjiang Medical University Cancer Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019.

Results

The proportion of TB infection in patients with lymphoma (n=148, 14.0%) was significantly higher than that in the control (benign diseases) group (n=175, 1.4%) (p<0.0001). The frequencies of TB infection in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and T/NK-cell NHL were 13.6%, 14.6%, and 11.9%, respectively. Relatively high proportions of TB infection were found in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZBL), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), at 20.6%, 18.6% and 15.3%, respectively, compared to other subtypes of B-cell NHL. For T/NK-cell NHL, the proportions of TB infection in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS), and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) were 18.2% and 20%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that male sex was an adverse risk factor for lymphoma after tubercular infection. In addition, male sex and older age (>60 years) were associated with B-cell NHL.

Conclusion

A high proportion of TB infection was found in patients with lymphoma. In TB-infected patients, older age and male sex were associated with susceptibility to lymphoma, suggesting that screening programmes might be useful for the early detection of lymphoma. Keywords Lymphoma; tuberculosis; Burkitt’s lymphoma; diffuse large B lymphoma; Hodgkin’s disease

Challenges in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health problem. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of extra-pulmonary TB. TBM carries a high mortality rate, including for those receiving treatment for TB. Diagnosis of TBM is difficult for clinicians as it can clinically present similarly to other forms of meningitis. The difficulty in diagnosis often leads to a delay in treatment and subsequent mortality. Those who survive are left with long-term sequelae leading to lifelong disability. The microbiologic diagnosis of TBM requires the isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of an infected patient. The diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis continues to be challenging for clinicians. Unfortunately, many cases of TBM cannot be confirmed based on clinical and imaging findings as the clinical findings are nonspecific, while laboratory techniques are largely insensitive or slow. Until recently, the lack of accessible and timely tests has contributed to a delay in diagnosis and subsequent morbidity and mortality for many patients, particularly those in resourcelimited settings. The availability of Xpert Ultra and point-of-care lipoarabinomannan (LAM) testing could represent a new era of prompt diagnosis and early treatment of tuberculous meningitis. However, clinicians must be cautious when ruling out TBM with Xpert Ultra due to its low negative predictive value. Due to the limitations of current diagnostics, clinicians should utilize a combination of diagnostic modalities in order to prevent morbidity in patients with TBM.

Stoma Site Infection Mimicking Lymphoma Recurrence: Potential Pitfall on 18F FDG Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography

FDG uptake is an unreliable tool when it comes to distinguish between infectious and malignant etiology particularly in conditions involving the lymph nodes. We describe a case of a 42-year-old man who has been operated for ileal lymphoma two decades back and now developed ileostomy site infection which masqueraded as lymphoma recurrence on ¹⁸F FDG positron emission tomography-computed tomography.

A case-report of a pulmonary tuberculosis with lymphadenopathy mimicking a lymphoma

Clinical and radiological manifestations of tuberculosis (TB) are heterogeneous, and differential diagnosis can include both benign and malignant diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis, metastatic diseases, and lymphoma). Diagnostic dilemmas can delay appropriate therapy, favoring Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. We report on a case of TB in an immunocompetent, Somalian 22-year-old boy admitted in the respiratory unit of an Italian university hospital. His symptoms and clinical signs were thoracic pain, weight loss, latero-cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal lymphadenopathy. Smear microscopy and PCR were negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The unclear histological pattern, the unusual clinical presentation, the CT scan signs, the BAL lymphocytes suggested the suspicion a lymphoma. Culture conversion proved Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. This case report highlights the risk of misdiagnosis in patients with generalized lympho-adenopathy and pulmonary infiltrates, particularly in Africans young patients.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of mediastinal lymph node tuberculous abscesses

The mediastinal lymph node tuberculous abscesses (MLNTAs) are secondary to mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis. Surgical excision is often required when cold abscesses form. This study was aimed to examine video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of MLNTA. Clinical data of 16 MLNTA patients who were treated in our hospital between December 1, 2013 and December 1, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All of the patients underwent the radical debridement and drainage of abscesses, and intrathoracic lesions were removed by VATS. They were also administered the intensified anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), and engaged in normal physical activity and follow-up for 3 to 6 months. The results showed that VATS was successfully attempted in all of the 16 MLNTA patients and they all had good recovery. Two patients developed complications after surgery, with one patient developing recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and the other reporting poor wound healing. It was concluded that VATS is easy to perform, and safe, and has high rates of success and relatively few side-effects when used to treat MLNTA.