Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) frequently manifests in extranodal structures in the chest, often in the form of secondary involvement but occasionally as primary disease. Because staging and treatment are affected by the presence of extranodal disease at imaging, radiologists' interpretation and management of suspicious findings are critical to patient care. Unfortunately, owing to considerable imaging overlap with other diseases, primary extranodal lymphoma is difficult to diagnose with imaging alone. Radiologists should have a heightened degree of suspicion in patients at risk (including patients with immune compromise, autoimmune diseases, or a history of stem cell or solid organ transplant) or with particular imaging appearances (including the vertebral wraparound sign, nonresolving consolidation, an infiltrative soft-tissue mass, and lesions demonstrating vascular encasement without invasion). For patients with known NHL, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using fluorine 18 (F)-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is now preferred for routine staging in most cases. CT remains heavily used, and identification of subtle extranodal involvement with CT can be improved with use of intravenous contrast material and careful review of multiplanar images. Pericardial effusion, pleural soft tissue (even when mild), mass-like consolidation, perilymphatic nodularity, and new lytic bone lesions are particularly suggestive of secondary involvement in a patient with known NHL. Magnetic resonance imaging is a helpful problem-solving tool when equivocal findings would change staging and treatment. This comprehensive review illustrates the spectrum of CT manifestations of extranodal NHL in the chest, including the pleura, lung, airways, heart, pericardium, esophagus, chest wall, and breast. RSNA, 2017.
Despite the positive outcome of the recent randomized trial of computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer, substantial implementation challenges remain, including the clear reporting of relative risk and suggested workup of screen-detected nodules. Based on current literature, we propose a 6-level Lung-Reporting and Data System (LU-RADS) that classifies screening CTs by the nodule with the highest malignancy risk. As the LU-RADS level increases, the risk of malignancy increases. The LU-RADS level is linked directly to suggested follow-up pathways. Compared with current narrative reporting, this structure should improve communication with patients and clinicians, and provide a data collection framework to facilitate screening program evaluation and radiologist training. In overview, category 1 includes CTs with no nodules and returns the subject to routine screening. Category 2 scans harbor minimal risk, including <5 mm, perifissural, or long-term stable nodules that require no further workup before the next routine screening CT. Category 3 scans contain indeterminate nodules and require CT follow up with the interval dependent on nodule size (small [5-9 mm] or large [≥ 10 mm] and possibly transient). Category 4 scans are suspicious and are subdivided into 4A, low risk of malignancy; 4B, likely low-grade adenocarcinoma; and 4C, likely malignant. The 4B and 4C nodules have a high likelihood of neoplasm simply based on screening CT features, even if positron emission tomography, needle biopsy, and/or bronchoscopy are negative. Category 5 nodules demonstrate frankly malignant behavior on screening CT, and category 6 scans contain tissue-proven malignancies.
A significant number of requisitions failed to disclose a history of cancer. Without knowledge of prior malignancy, radiologists cannot comply with current guidelines regarding the reporting and management of incidental findings.
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