Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of lymphoma. Approximately 40% of DBLCL originates from extra-nodal sites, but the diversity of clinical presentations and the genetic and molecular alterations indicate that extra-nodal DLBCLs may be distinct disease entities. The aim of the present study was to highlight the various aspects of primary extra-nodal DLBCL (PE-DLBCL) based on a single center cohort. The data from 141 patients with PE-DLBCL treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The primary extra-nodal sites involved were the gastrointestinal tract (n=42), central nervous system (CNS; n=38), breast (n=19), adrenal gland (n=15), female genital system (FGS; n=12), thyroid (n=8) and bone (n=7). The median overall survival rate was 28 months (range, 1-116). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that an International Prognostic Index (IPI) ≤2 (P=0.049), complete remission (CR) achieved following first-line therapy (P=0.001) and chemotherapy combined with rituximab (P 0.05). In conclusion, IPI >2 and the lack of a CR following first-line therapy were independent prognostic risk factors for PE-DLBCL. Patients with primary adrenal gland or FGS involvement exhibited a higher risk of CNS relapse. Rituximab had a positive impact on the survival of patients with PE-DLBCL, also reducing the likelihood of CNS relapse.

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Primary extra-nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A prognostic analysis of 141 patients.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an extra-nodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. PCNSL is defined as lymphoma involving the brain, leptomeninges, eyes, or spinal cord without evidence of lymphoma outside the CNS. Treatment includes induction with chemotherapy and consolidation with whole-brain radiotherapy or high-dose chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplantation. High-dose methotrexate is the most important drug in cases with PCNSL, and this drug will be used in combination with small molecules, BTK inhibitors, new monoclonal antibodies, and checkpoint blockers.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma: essential points in diagnosis and management.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.

BackgroundIn clinical diagnosis, some central nervous system lymphomas (CNSL) are difficult to distinguish from high-grade gliomas (HGG).PurposeTo evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the histogram ...

Differential diagnosis of central lymphoma and high-grade glioma: dynamic contrast-enhanced histogram.

Primary spinal epidural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma causing complete paralysis.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, most frequently diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in immunocompetent patients, which is confined to the central nervous system.[1] In the past two decades, its incidence has been steadily increasing. However, differential diagnosis, such as demyelinating disease, could be a challenge particularly in patients with atypical clinical symptoms and neurological imaging. Here, we described clinical presentation, imaging and pathological results of two cases of PCNSL and highlighted the importance of considering the possibility of PCNSL initially when cases were similar.

A 52-year-old immunocompetent man (case 1) presented with a 20-day history of fever and headache. Condition of the patient had no obvious improvement after anti-infection treatment. Physical examination revealed no evidence of neurological deficit other than mild rigidity of the neck. Routine blood tests and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations were normal. Serum tumor markers indicated an elevated ferritin level (0.826 mg/L). Tests for human immunodeficiency virus and treponema pallidum were negative. Electroencephalogram and serological tests for autoimmune autoantibodies were unremarkable. However, the patient developed glossolalia, gait disturbance, and transient unconsciousness at the night when admitted to our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cerebrum revealed the hyperintensity in T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images of the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, right temporal lobe, corpus callosum, and the periventricular cerebral white matter [Figure 1a]. Some areas, particularly the right splenium corporis callosi were enhanced in contrast enhancement in a T1­-weighted image [Figure 1b]. Hydrogen-1 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of lesion demonstrated an increased choline peak [Figure 1c]. Based on the patient's clinical course and brain MRI findings, “inflammatory demyelinating encephalopathy” was first considered. After treatment with intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (10 mg/d for 7 days), the patient was discharged with a better health condition.



Figure 1

Magnetic resonance imaging examinations and pathological image of case 1. The first magnetic resonance imaging examination was carried out on March 13, 2015, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images (a) showed hyperintensity of corpus callosum and the ...



However, his condition deteriorated rapidly after the withdrawal of steroid therapy. A week after discharge, the patient developed left limb weakness progressively and could not be able to walk unaided at last. Repeated MRI examinations showed more extensive signal changes in the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, right temporal lobes, corpus callosums, basal ganglias, and brainstem, resulting in multiple patchy and strip hypointense on T1-weighted imaging, isointense T2-weighted imaging, and hyperintense FLAIR imaging [Figure 1d] with a relatively small edema. There were more extensive contrast-enhanced lesions in the right cerebellar hemisphere than the first MRI examination [Figure 1e]. Given the rapid clinicoradiological progression, the lymphoma was suspected. A stereotactic brain biopsy was performed. Pathological image [Figure 1f] and immunohistochemical staining results showed strongly positive signals for CD20 and leukocyte common antigen, weakly positive signals for CD3 and vimentin and negative signals for glial fibrillary acidic protein, isocitrate dehydrogenase-1, CD34 and cytokeratin pan, and high Ki-67 (>80%) revealed a diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Following a bone marrow biopsy and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan, no evidence of lymphoma outside the central nervous system was found. The diagnosis of PCNSL was confirmed. Subsequently, the patient was treated with four courses of high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy. His condition improved gradually.

A 68-year-old immunocompetent woman (case 2) presented with dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and gait disturbance over 1 month, and then developed dysphagia after 2-week treatment in county hospital. A repeated diffusion weighted imaging at the local hospital revealed the larger hyperintensity of corpus callosum. Three days ago, the patient developed lower limbs weakness progressively and could not be able to walk unaided. She was admitted to the Department of Neurology of our hospital. The patient developed urinary incontinence and deteriorated progressively after admission. She had a history of touching methamidophos every summer. Neurological examination showed cognitive dysfunction and increased tendon reflex of right lower limb. The CT results of the chest and abdomen were unremarkable. CSF examination showed a protein level of 987 mg/L and elevated white blood cell (59 × 106/L). The analysis of CSF cytology revealed a moderately cellular fluid with increased lymphocytes and monocytes. Polymerase chain reaction for viruses in CSF found cytomegalovirus. MRI scan of the brain revealed slightly hyperintensity in T2-weighted or FLAIR images of corpus callosum, the head of right caudate nucleus, cingulate gyrus, and centrum semiovale [Figure 2a]. A significantly gad-enhancing lesion was found in the corpus callosum [Figure 2b]. The lesions showed hypoperfusion in perfusion-weighted images (PWI) [Figure 2c]. Repeated MRIs performed after treating with intravenous methylprednisolone (80 mg/d for 8 days) revealed smaller enhanced lesions [Figure 2d] and an increased choline peak in 1H-MRS image of lesion [Figure 2e]. Based on those findings, demyelinating disease and lymphoma were considered. Then, a stereotactic brain biopsy was performed. Pathological image [Figure 2f] and immunohistochemical staining results were similar to case 1. Following a bone marrow biopsy and PET-CT scan, no evidence of lymphoma outside the central nervous system was found. The diagnosis of PCNSL was confirmed. Subsequently, the patient was treated with high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy, and then the patient's condition improved gradually.



Figure 2

Magnetic resonance imaging examinations and pathological image of case 2. The first magnetic resonance imaging examination was carried out on April 14, 2015, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image (a) showed hyperintensity of corpus callosum, the head ...



The two cases suggest that it is significantly important to pay attention to differential diagnosis between PCNSL and demyelinating disease.[2,3] Symptoms of patients with PCNSL can be highly variable and range from generalized symptoms of increased intracranial pressure to various neurological symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, headache, seizures, cranial nerve palsies, and other focal signs.[1,2] PCNSL is easy to be misdiagnosed as demyelinating disease during clinical assessment in the early stage, especially when it shows diffuse infiltrative lesions with atypical clinical symptoms and neurological imaging results.

For example, all findings of the patient in case 1 in the early stage, such as first complaint with fever and headache, the negative results of CSF, diffuse infiltrative leukoencephalopathy on MRIs, and the history of infection supported the diagnosis of inflammatory demyelinating encephalopathy rather than lymphoma.1H-MRS may be helpful for discriminating PCNSL with atypical MR imaging features from tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs). One study[4] found that higher choline/creation ratio (>2.58), higher choline/N-acetyl aspartic acid ratio (>1.73), and higher lipid-lactate peak grade suggested PCNSL rather than TDLs. An increase in lipid resonances has been reported as the specific finding for PCNSL.[4,5] However, only an increased choline peak can be seen in both cases, which is not helpful in the differential diagnosis.

PCNSL was not considered initially until rapid progression of symptoms and MRIs appeared, which delayed the time of earlier diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, the two cases could give us some enlightenments. PCNSL could be shrinked in size after treatment with methylprednisolone, so methylprednisolone may be one of the choices in the treatment of PCNSL. In addition, hypoperfusion of lesions on PWI may have some characteristics for us to distinguish the PCNSL from other tumors.

MRIs have some characteristics for PCNSL; however, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the PCNSL from demyelinating disease, especially when lesions distribute diffusedly in the early stage. The two cases emphasize the importance of considering the possibility of PCNSL when the clinical symptoms and brain MRI findings are atypical to avoid misdiagnosis. When PCNSL is suspected, a stereotactic brain biopsy from a lesion should be performed in time. Early diagnosis and intervention for these patients may enable a more rational therapeutic approach and improve the outcomes.

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Conflicts of interest
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Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to detect non-traumatic bone marrow edema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the accuracy of pulmonary nodule (PN) detection in overweight or obese adult patients using ultralow‐dose computed tomography (ULDCT) with tin filtration at 100 kV and advanced model‐based iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE). Methods Eighty‐one patients with body mass indices of ≥25 kg/m2 were enrolled. All patients underwent low‐dose chest CT (LDCT), followed by ULDCT. Two radiologists experienced in LDCT established the standard of reference (SOR) for PNs. The number, type, size, and location of PNs were identified in the SOR. Effective dose, objective image quality (IQ), and subjective IQ based on two radiologists’ scores were compared between ULDCT and LDCT. The detection performances of radiologists based on ULDCT were calculated according to the nodule analyses. Logistic regression was used to test for independent predictors of PN detection sensitivity. Results Both the effective dose and objective IQ were lower for ULDCT than for LDCT (both p < 0.001). Both radiologists rated the subjective IQ of the overall IQ on ULDCT to be diagnostically sufficient. In total, 234 nodules (mean diameter, 3.4 ± 1.9 mm) were classified into 32 subsolid, 149 solid, and 53 calcified nodules according to the SOR. The overall sensitivity of ULDCT for nodule detection was 93.6%. Based on multivariate analyses, the nodule types (p = 0.015) and sizes (p = 0.013) were independent predictors of nodule detection. Conclusions Compared with LDCT, ULDCT with tin filtration at 100 kV and ADMIRE could significantly reduce the radiation dose in overweight or obese patients while maintaining good sensitivity for nodule detection.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/acm2.13589

Evaluation of ultralow‐dose computed tomography on detection of pulmonary nodules in overweight or obese adult patients

Abstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of direct computed tomography venography (CTV) in early and accurate detection of lower extremity venous (LEV) abnormalities. Methods Cross-sectional research was conducted in Hebei General Hospital of China. A total of 211 CTV reports of both lower extremities from January 2017 to September 2019, 75 color Doppler ultrasound (DUS) examinations, and eight intravascular angiography records of these patients over the same period were collected from the hospital. Comparisons were made for the reported number and percentage of LEV abnormalities (thrombosis, stenosis including severe stenosis, and varicosities). Chi-square test and t-test were applied to compare the rates and means, respectively. Significance level α was 0.05. Individual interviews were performed to understand the perceptions of medical staff and patients on the application of CTV, and the interview results were analyzed. Results Of the 75 cases with both CTV and DUS reports, 159 abnormalities occurring in the lower extremity deep veins (LEDV) were reported, among which 125 (79%) and 18 (11%) were reported by CTV and DUS on a single basis, respectively, whereas 16 (10%) were reported by CTV and DUS simultaneously. A statistically significant greater number of abnormalities in LEDV were identified by CTV than DUS in both males and females (χ 2 males = 78.449, χ 2 females = 27.574, χ 2 total = 104.164, p < .05). In the 211 CTV reports, among the 383 abnormalities reported in total, the common iliac vein (CIV) had the highest number of reported abnormalities (132, 34.5%), followed by the femoral vein (93, 24.3%). The ratios between LEDV abnormality and patient numbers were 1.055 and 0.688 for left and right sides in males, and 0.892 and 0.461 for left and right sides in females, respectively, with that for the left side statistically significantly higher than the right one (t male = 2.896, t female = 4.347, p < .05). The incidence of thrombosis was 10.9% (95% CI = 6.7 ∼ 15.1%). Reported abnormities in CIV by CTV were in agreement with those by intravascular angiography. The medical staff believed that CTV could guide the performance of surgeries for LEV and the patients perceived CTV acceptable. Conclusions Application of CTV for early and accurate detection of LEDV abnormalities including thrombosis has been proven to be efficient. Corresponding benefit in early intervention and reduction of severe complications of such abnormalities is of important value. CTV earned good recognition from medical staff and patients. Hence, it could be considered as part of global health assistance cooperation with developing countries to facilitate enhanced medical services.

Ying-Min Chen

Papers

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to detect non-traumatic bone marrow edema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Evaluation of ultralow‐dose computed tomography on detection of pulmonary nodules in overweight or obese adult patients

Added value of computed tomography venography in the identification of abnormities in veins of lower extremities