J Korean Soc Radiol.  2011 Feb;64(2):147-150. 10.3348/jksr.2011.64.2.147.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Presenting as an Endobronchial Polypoid Mass: A Case Report

• Han JY
• Lee KN
• Roh MS
• Kim WJ

• KMID: 2097930
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2011.64.2.147

Abstract

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma seldom, if ever, involves the tracheobronchial tree, and it manifests as a diffuse infiltrating pattern with clinically apparent systemic lymphoma. Endobronchial involvement presenting as an endobronchial polypoid mass is far rarer. We report here on a case of diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that presented as an endobronchial polypopid mass obstructing the central bronchi and this led to lobar atelectasis.

MeSH Terms

B-Lymphocytes
Bronchi
Bronchial Neoplasms
Lymphoma
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
Pulmonary Atelectasis
Tracheal Neoplasms

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 An 82-year-old man with endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A. A chest radiograph showed a left hilar mass (arrow) with obstructive pneumonia of the left upper lobe. Ill-defined increase opacity in the left upper lung zone is accompanied by elevation of the left hilum and the left sided juxtaphrenic peak. B, C. The axial unenhanced (B) and enhanced (C) CT scans obtained at the carinal level show a 2 × 1 cm sized intraluminal protruding mass with homogeneous enhancement (arrow) in the left upper lobe bronchus, and this is accompanied by partial atelectasis of the left upper lobe and enlarged precarinal lymph nodes. D. Bronchoscopy reveals a polypoid fleshy mass incompletely obstructing the left upper lobe bronchus (arrow). E. The microscopic photograph shows a diffuse proliferation of atypical lymphocytes with pleomorphic hyperchromatic nuclei overlying the ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium (H & E, ×200). F. PET/CT shows a high metabolic rate in the endobronchial lesion, in both the interlobar and lobar lymph nodes and the lung parenchyma in the left lower lobe. The focal area of ground-glass opacity in the left lower lobe also reveals mild uptake.

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