Analysis of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging features of neurolymphomatosis

Objective: To evaluate the imaging characteristics and value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in neurolymphomatosis. Methods: Eight cases (3 males,5 females,age range: 35-82 years) with neurolymphomatosis confirmed by histopathology were included in this study. The imaging characteristics of the peripheral nerves surrounding the neurolymphoma lesions and contralateral normal tissue on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were analyzed, and SUV_max was measured.Paired t test was used for data analysis by SPSS 12.0. Results: Eleven lesions with increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in 8 cases distributed along the plexus, nerve bundle or intervertebral foramen, and shaped like bars, nodules or masses. The lesion SUV_max (6.54±3.23) was significantly higher than that of the contralateral normal peripheral nerves (1.15±0.48; t=9.357, P<0.001). The neurolymphoma lesions on CT showed no significant density change with reference to the surrounding tissue. Conclusions: The most common ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT features of neurolymphomatosis is high ¹⁸F-FDG uptake along the neurovascular plexus, bundles or intervertebral foramina with shapes like bars, nodules or masses. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT is a useful tool for the localization and T staging of neurolymphomatosis. (authors)