title: Pneumomediastinum as a complication to treatment of mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma.
abstract: Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma (Med-DLBCL) is a subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) with a typical radiological appearance of bulky anterior mediastinal mass, often with areas of necrosis. We report a case of Med-DLBCL with unusual radiological findings and clinical development. Computed tomography (CT) obtained at presentation revealed a huge anterior mediastinal tumor with an axial diameter of 180 mm. Nineteen days after the first cycle of chemotherapy, chest radiography and CT revealed large areas of tumor necrosis and pneumomediastinum with air-fluid levels. To our knowledge, air-fluid levels inside Med-DLBCL have not been previously described. This finding, in combination with necrotic sputum, may indicate communication between the tracheobronchial tree and the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Special Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pavlisa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Planinc-Peraica
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anic
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kardum-Skelin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pavlisa
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jaksic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone