PMLBCL : Introduction

Comments:
Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma (PMLBCL) - Introduction: PMLBCL belongs to the group of aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. It is of putative thymic B-cell origin and arises in the mediastinum. It has previously been known as mediastinal large cell lymphoma with sclerosis and primary mediastinal clear cell lymphoma of B-cell type.

It was initially considered to be a subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, but has been subsequently recognized as a distinct entity in the WHO Classification.

It is relatively rare and affects mainly young adults. It shares similarities with nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma at the clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic level.

This chest CT with contrast (axial view) from a 22 y/o male shows a large mediastinal mass. A moderately-sized pericardial effusion and bilateral pleural effusions are present. Diagnosis of PMLBCL was confirmed by a CT-guided needle biopsy of the mass.

Case courtesy of Assoc Prof Frank Gaillard, Radiopaedia.org. From the case rID: 8655