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Primary lymphoma of the spleen mimicking simple benign cysts: contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and other imaging findings

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Abstract

We report on a case of incidentally detected primary splenic lymphoma mimicking simple benign cysts on abdominal ultrasonography. On contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), the lesions showed isoenhancement in the arterial phase with progressive washout and marked hypoenhancement in the parenchymal phase. This pattern enabled us to suspect the malignant nature of the disease, thus preventing a dangerous misdiagnosis. Accordingly, further characterization with other imaging studies (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography) was pursued based on CEUS and taking into account the patient’s clinical picture and medical history. Collectively, imaging data led us to a diagnosis of suspected primary splenic malignancy, most probably lymphoma, which was histologically confirmed on the surgical specimen after splenectomy.

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Acknowledgment

This article is dedicated to the memory of the late Professor Paola Loria, MD.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical statement

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Pavullo, AUSL Modena, Via Suore di S.G.B. Cottolengo 5, Pavullo nel Frignano, 41026, Modena, Italy

    Stefano Ballestri

  2. Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, NOCSAE, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and AUSL Modena, Baggiovara, Modena, Italy

    Amedeo Lonardo, Dante Romagnoli & Paola Loria

  3. Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico of Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

    Luisa Losi

Authors
  1. Stefano Ballestri
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  2. Amedeo Lonardo
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  3. Dante Romagnoli
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  4. Luisa Losi
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  5. Paola Loria
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Correspondence to Stefano Ballestri.

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Ballestri, S., Lonardo, A., Romagnoli, D. et al. Primary lymphoma of the spleen mimicking simple benign cysts: contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and other imaging findings. J Med Ultrasonics 42, 251–255 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-014-0579-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-014-0579-z

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