Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the liver: A report of two cases and review of the literature

"Speckled Enhancement" on Gd-EOB-DTPA Enhanced MR Imaging of Primary Hepatic Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma

PURPOSE

To elucidate MRI features of primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, particularly, the "speckled enhancement" on gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI.

METHODS

The institutional review board approved this retrospective observational study and waived informed consent. Using our picture archiving and communication systems and electronic medical records, five patients histopathologically diagnosed as hepatic MALT lymphoma and clinically confirmed as primary lesions who had undergone dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-CT and DCE-MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA were identified from September 2009 to December 2020. Two radiologists assessed their CT and MRI data in consensus with a pathologist's advice.

RESULTS

Overall, five lesions in five patients were included in this study. Precontrast CT showed hypoattenuation in all lesions. In the arterial phase of DCE-CT, four lesions (80%) showed hyperattenuation, whereas all lesions showed iso- to hypoattenuation in the delayed phase. A vessel penetration sign was also observed in all lesions. On MRI, all lesions showed hypointensity on T1-weighted images, hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, and restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted images. Both DCE-CT and DCE-MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA showed similar enhancement patterns, except for the hepatocyte phase. Notably, however, four out of five lesions showed characteristic "speckled enhancement" that refers to punctate positive enhancements within the low signal lesions on the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI pathologically confirmed to be hepatocyte clusters that remained in the tumor.

CONCLUSION

Primary hepatic MALT lymphomas were characterized by arterial phase enhancement, restricted diffusion, vessel penetration sign, and more specifically "speckled enhancement" in the hepatobiliary phase of DCE-MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA.

Primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone B-cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma treated by laparoscopic partial hepatectomy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone B-cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is very rare, so it is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. And there is no established treatment for hepatic MALT lymphoma. We report herein a case of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma treated by laparoscopic partial hepatectomy, and discuss the usefulness of laparoscopic hepatectomy for a rare liver tumor.

CASE PRESENTATION

This patient was a woman in her 60s, who was diagnosed preoperatively as having synchronous liver metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer; therefore, laparoscopic partial hepatectomy was performed. She had a good course after the operation and was discharged on postoperative day 12. However, she was diagnosed pathologically as having primary hepatic MALT lymphoma. A bone marrow biopsy was also performed, and then she was finally diagnosed as having limited-stage primary hepatic MALT lymphoma. She received no postoperative treatment and showed no recurrence for 4 years postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

We experienced the good result of the patient with limited-stage primary MALT lymphoma treated by laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. Liver tumors are sometimes misdiagnosed by imaging examinations alone. Laparoscopic hepatectomy has been widespread recently as a minimally invasive procedure, and it may be useful for both diagnosis and treatment.

A case of primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone B-cell mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and a literature review

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an extremely rare liver malignancy that usually lacks characteristic imaging findings and which is often misdiagnosed. We report a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, MALT type. The patient underwent needle biopsy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and showed no signs of relapse during the 12-month postoperative follow-up. This case stresses the rarity of primary hepatic MALT-type lymphoma and the unique and effective treatment for this patient. Our patient received RFA, which showed good efficacy and which provides a new option for the treatment of hepatic MALT lymphoma. We also present our findings from a systematic review to improve the current understanding of this disease.

Primary Hepatic Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Case Report and Summary of the Literature

Background: The incidence of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is low, at 7–8% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases. The most common site of MALT lymphoma occurrence is the stomach. Primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of MALT is classified as a type of non-gastric MALT lymphoma and is considered extremely rare, with no consensus on imaging study findings or treatment due to a limited number of reports. We herein describe a rare case of primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of MALT with underlying hepatitis B infection (HBV) and present useful diagnostic findings of various imaging modalities, including contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid. Case presentation: A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed as being a non-active carrier of HBV at 51 years of age at the time of total hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy for uterine cervical cancer. She was admitted to our hospital following the incidental detection of two focal liver lesions on computed tomography. The lesions were considered malignant based on clinical and other radiologic imaging findings. Her CEUS results of hypo-enhancement in the portal and late phases were consistent with those of previously reported cases of hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of MALT, and histological liver biopsy findings were compatible with the diagnosis. Conclusions: Primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of MALT is a rare condition that can appear in HBV carriers. Characteristic CEUS findings may help in disease diagnosis. Clinicians should bear primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of MALT in mind when encountering patients with focal liver lesions which exhibit image findings different from those of typical hepatocellular carcinoma.

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas is extremely low. Here, we describe a case of this disease misdiagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and review relevant literature to prevent future misdiagnoses.

CASE PRESENTATION

a 58-year-old woman complained about abdominal pain for more than four months. About two months prior, she came to our hospital with elevated levels of HBV DNA and positive HBsAg and HBcAb. After two months of entecavir treatment, HBV DNA decreased to a normal level. She returned to the hospital with worsened abdominal pain for over a month. Magnetic resonance imaging and systemic positron emission tomography-computed tomography identified two nodes in the liver, and she was diagnosed with HCC. The patient then underwent a laparoscopic hepatectomy. Microscopic examination showed a diffuse infiltrate of small-to-medium-sized lymphocytes and lymphoepithelial lesions. Immunohistochemical staining showed that most of the lymphoid cells were strongly positive for CD20, CD79a, BCL2, IgM and weakly positive for IgD, while negative for CD3, CD10, BCL6, MUM1, CD43, CD5, cyclin D1, CD23, CD30, and PD1. The Ki-67 index of lymphoid cells was 5%. Further pathologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma. The patient received antiviral treatment and recovered well with no sign of relapse for 17 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary hepatic MALT lymphoma is an uncommon disease that is difficult to diagnose and has no widely accepted treatment. Surgical resection is a good choice for both diagnosis and local therapy, and strict follow-up of the patient is essential.

Primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma), is one of the specific type of low-grade B-cell lymphoma not infrequently found worldwide. It typically involves mucosal sites such as stomach and conjunctiva; however, primary hepatic MALT lymphoma has been extremely rarely reported. We describe a case of hepatic MALT lymphoma in a 70-year-old male patient who underwent left hepatectomy due to the incidentally detected liver masses at a medical checkup. The resected specimen revealed multinodular masses consisting of small-to-intermediate-sized lymphoid cells with serpentine pattern and focal lymphoepithelial lesions. The tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD20 and Bcl-2 but negative for CD3, CD10, CD5, CD23, CD43, and cyclinD1. The Ki-67 labeling index was 10% and immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement study confirmed monoclonal proliferation. In this paper, we discuss several unique clinicopathologic characteristics which will be helpful to the differential diagnosis of hepatic MALT lymphoma.

A case of primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma incidentally found in the sustained virological response state of chronic hepatitis C: review of the literature of this rare disease

A 54-year-old woman finished the treatment for chronic hepatitis C and achieved sustained virological response. She was identified with some tumor lesions at her liver during follow-up observation by ultrasonography. From contrast-enhanced computed tomography, there were four tumors at sub-segment 4/5, S5, S6, and S7. These lesions are slightly enhanced on arterial phase and washed out on delayed phase. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed slight enhancement on arterial phase and defect on hepatocyte phase. Tumor markers including alpha fetoprotein, Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) were within normal range. The patient underwent partial hepatectomies of four tumors at S4/5, S5, S6, and S7. The patient was recovering well, so he discharged our hospital after 10 days from the operation. The histological assay of the resected specimen showed accumulation of lymphocyte with hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles accordant with tumor lesions. Immunohistochemical staining assay revealed a positive for CD3, CD20, CD10, and bcl-2. These findings eventually made a diagnosis of all four tumors as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Since previously published case reports and our case described nonspecific clinical features of this rare disease, it was difficult to get the certain diagnosis before histological confirmation and non-anatomical partial liver resection may be a good choice for both diagnosis and local therapy.

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare disease, and there is no consensus yet on the treatment modalities. Here, we report a new case of MALT lymphoma and review the current literature on this disease.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 73-year-old man was admitted to our department following the incidental finding of a solitary 1.8-cm diameter mass in the liver.

DIAGNOSIS

Microscopic findings identified the mass as a tumor with infiltration of diffuse atypical B lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positivity for CD20 and CD79a, and negativity for CD3 and CD5. These collective data led to the diagnosis of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma.

INTERVENTIONS

The tumor was removed by surgical resection. The patient refused additional treatment after the surgery.

OUTCOMES

At the time of writing this report, the patient has been disease free for 6 months postsurgery.

LESSONS

Review of the previously published case reports on this rare tumor type indicates that in addition to chronic liver inflammation due to infection or other reasons, genetic aberrations can also contribute to the development of hepatic MALT lymphoma. Additionally, IgH rearrangement is a good genetic hallmark of this tumor. Owing to no specific clinical or radiologic features to define the disease profile for diagnosis, surgery may be a good choice for both diagnosis and therapy if the patient's condition permits.

An unusual case of hepatic lymphoma with multiple epithelial malignancies

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma) is a rare entity. Its coexistence with other malignancies is even rarer. Only few case reports of its association with other malignancies mostly gastric and colon cancer have been published. We report a case of primary MALToma of liver in an unusual setting of dual solid malignancy.

Prognostic value of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is extremely rare and we herein report a case of a patient suffering from primary hepatic MALT lymphoma with concomitant hepatitis B virus infection.

DIAGNOSTIC MODALITIES AND OUTCOME

Double masses were found in a 59-year-old Chinese female patient. We reported the laboratory results, computed tomography (CT) and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT images among other findings. As far as we know, only 9 cases have been reported till now using F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Our patient's lesions were found to conform to standard uptake values of FDG.

CONCLUSION

It indicates that hepatic MALT lymphoma can be studied with F-FDG PET/CT like other F-FDG-avid lymphomas. It was also noted that delayed-time-point FDG PET imaging may further improve the detection of the MALT lymphoma in liver. Although the patient in this case refused further treatment, potential management options, including rituximab, which is also discussed in this review.

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in a patient with no chronic liver disease: Case report

Extramarginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma of low-grade malignancy. The most common localization is the stomach, and the common nongastric sites are salivary glands, the skin, orbits, the conjunctiva, the lung, breasts, upper airways, other gastrointestinal sites, and the liver. Primary hepatic MALT lymphoma is a rare disease and the diagnostic can be challenging. The clinical presentation is nonspecific and may range from no symptoms to end-stage liver disease. The radiological aspect of hepatic lymphoma may indicate this diagnosis; however, the final diagnosis is made by hepatic biopsy. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with no chronic liver disease, incidentally found with a focal liver mass at ultrasound examination. The only clinical symptom was fatigue. The blood tests were normal and tumoral markers were negative. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. However, because the hepatic lesion was first described as a benign entity and, at second opinion, the suspicion of lymphoma was raised, the patient decided to undergo surgery first, without prior biopsy. The histopathologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis: hepatic MALT lymphoma positive for CD 20 and negative for CD 5, BCL6, cyclin D1, and CD 23. No lymph node involvement was noted and follow-up imaging with positron emission tomography-computed tomography did not show any other site of disease, thus confirming the diagnosis of primary hepatic MALT lymphoma. The aim of this paper was to highlight the imagistic features of primary hepatic lymphoma to contribute to the early diagnosis of this rare disease entity.