CT Findings in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Involving the Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract

CT can depict PTCL involving the gastrointestinal tract if it is not confined to the mucosa. There is a tendency toward preferential jejunal or duodenal involvement, as well as bowel perforation.

Perforated tumours in the gastrointestinal tract: CT findings and clinical implications

“…Perforation of GI tumours can occur as a consequence of trauma and iatrogenic injuries [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Two fundamental factors responsible for development of spontaneous perforation are ischaemia and necrosis [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

“…Two fundamental factors responsible for development of spontaneous perforation are ischaemia and necrosis [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Neoplastic cells replace the bowel wall, and, subsequently, may undergo necrotic degeneration during rapid growth or under ischaemic conditions, both of which result in vulnerability to perforation.…”

“…Neoplastic cells replace the bowel wall, and, subsequently, may undergo necrotic degeneration during rapid growth or under ischaemic conditions, both of which result in vulnerability to perforation. In addition, vascular occlusion by tumour cell infiltration, direct tumour embolisation and increased intraluminal pressure secondary to bowel obstruction may induce or accelerate bowel ischaemia [3,5]. Bowel perforation occasionally occurs at a different location from the tumour site, as a result of increased intraluminal pressure caused by bowel obstruction or mucin-producing neoplasm.…”

“…Most GI lymphomas are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of B-cell origin, whereas T-cell lymphoma does not commonly involve the GI tract [5]. Peripheral T-cell lymphomas have a higher prevalence of bowel perforation (up to 50%) than B-cell lymphomas (,30%) [5].…”

“…Peripheral T-cell lymphomas have a higher prevalence of bowel perforation (up to 50%) than B-cell lymphomas (,30%) [5]. The vast majority of bowel perforations in patients with GI lymphomas occur in the small bowel [3,5,16].…”