PET scan evaluation of thymic mass after autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation in an adult with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Leuk Lymphoma. 2003 Nov;44(11):2015-8. doi: 10.1080/1042819031000083307.

Abstract

We report the case of a 31-year-old man with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma successfully treated with chemotherapy who showed mediastinal widening 5 months after autologous stem-cell transplantation. CT scan and PET evaluations were consistent with the diagnosis of benign thymic hyperplasia. Because of the rapid and aggressive course of this type of lymphoma, and the progressive widening of the mass at CT scan, we performed a mediastinal biopsy that confirmed these findings, showing normal thymic tissue. This is the first case of benign thymic hyperplasia defined with FDG-PET and confirmed by histologic evaluation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma / complications
  • Carcinoma / therapy*
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy*
  • Male
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / diagnostic imaging
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / etiology*
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods*
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18