Author/Authors :
آلتيني، كرينا نويسنده Nuclear Medicine Unit, DIM., University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy Altini, Corinna , اسابلا، آرتور نيكلي نويسنده Nuclear Medicine Unit, DIM., University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy Asabella, Artor Niccoli , فراري، كريستينا نويسنده Nuclear Medicine Unit, DIM., University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy Ferrari, Cristina , رابيني، دومنيكو نويسنده Nuclear Medicine Unit, DIM., University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy Rubini, Domenico , جنتيل، آنتونيا نويسنده Pathological Anatomy Unit, DAP, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy Gentile, Antonia , رابيني، جيوسپ نويسنده Nuclear Medicine Unit, DIM., University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy Rubini, Giuseppe
Abstract :
We report a case of a 75-year old man that came at hematologist’s attention for lymphoma evaluation due to axillary lymph
node enlargement and fever. Thorax, abdomen and pelvis Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) showed
lymph nodes, spleen and liver lesions. Axillary lymph node biopsy was performed and the diagnosis of marginal zone
lymphoma (MZL) at stage IV was postulated, then the patient was submitted to chemotherapy (CHT) following the R-CVP
scheme. After the end of the eighth cycle of CHT he was submitted to a restaging CECT that showed lymph nodes size
reduction in all the sites identified on the staging exam. Furthermore the liver lesions disappeared and spleen lesions size
was reduced. A whole-body and head 18F-FDG PET/CT was also performed that showed 18F-FDG uptake lesions in right
axillary lymph nodes, spleen and liver and the identification of two more extranodal sites, respectively in conjunctiva and
skin. Then the necessity of additional CHT cycles and radiotherapy on extranodal sites was postulated. The patient declined
the new therapies and unfortunately succumbed four months later.
In our case whole body and head 18F-FDG-PET/CT, finding two new extranodal lymphomatous sites and confirming the
persistence of the disease, refined and guided the management of the patient suggesting the necessity of additional CHT
cycles and radiotherapy on extranodal sites.
After histopathological confirmation, a systemic work-up by an oncologist should include whole body and head 18F-FDGPET/
CT to detect possible systemic involvement and guide specific following diagnostic exams.