Primary sphenoid lymphoma: Focus on imaging

Tumori. 2018 Dec;104(6):NP42-NP45. doi: 10.1177/0300891618803501. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Abstract

Primary lymphoma of the sphenoid is an extremely rare pathology, therefore it is difficult to hypothesize and the imaging characteristics are not well-known. Here we report the imaging features in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scan of a 44-year-old patient who presented with severe headache. CT and MRI showed a sphenoid sinus mass that suggested rhinopharyngeal lesion or a chordoma. However, biopsy from the mass histologically proved it to be Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and PET examinations revealed increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake around the sphenoid bone and multiple spinal lesions.

Keywords: Lymphoma; differential diagnosis; imaging; otorhinolaryngology; sphenoid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Sphenoid Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods