[Sonographic features of lymphoma in the abdominal lymph nodes].

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the sonographic features of the lymphoma in the abdominal lymph nodes.

METHOD

The clinical data and sonographic findings of 41 lymphoma patients with original appearance of abdominal mass or lymphadenectasis were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Among these 41 cases, the retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes were most commonly involved.These patients were divided into two types according to sonographic appearances:solitary mass(n=14) and multiple nodules(n=27) .Solitary hypoechoic mass in abdomen was found in the former type, mostly with irregular or lobular shape, and the inner echo was often heterogenous.The typical appearances of the latter type were multiple enlarged lymph nodes, mostly round or oval, with homogeneous inner echo and clear margins.Some other sonographic characteristics were also helpful for the diagnosis of lymphoma, such as cobblestone sign, intranodular reticulation, vessels-embedded sign, and hilar vascularity.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography can provide useful information in the diagnosis of the lymphoma in the abdominal lymph nodes.