title: CT characteristics in 24 patients with POEMS syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  POEMS (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, M protein, and Skin changes) syndrome is a complicated and rare disease. Systematic research on computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics in POEMS syndrome is scanty. The role of CT in diagnosis needs to be assessed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To retrospectively analyze the CT imaging features in 24 patients with POEMS syndrome and evaluate the role of CT in diagnosis of this disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients with confirmed POEMS syndrome were included in the study. Chest and abdominal CT images were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three minor diagnostic criteria for POEMS syndrome (extravascular volume overload, organomegaly, and bone lesions) can be detected effectively by CT. Extravascular volume overload involved multiple serous cavities: hydrothorax, hydropericardium, and ascites, which were found in 79.2%, 41.7%, and 54.2% patients, respectively. The volume of effusion was small to moderate. Organomegaly involved multiorgans: hepatomegaly was found in 45.8% patients, splenomegaly in 54.2%, and lymphadenopathy in 75% patients. Hepatospleen exhibited moderate homogeneous enlargement without local enhanced signal after injection of contrast material. Bone lesions were classified into three groups: osteosclerotic, osteolytic, and mixed lesions. Osteosclerotic lesions, taking multiple, scattered, and variably sized high-density plaque-like appearance, were found in 20.8% patients. Osteolytic lesions, exhibiting punched-out low-density image, were found in 4.2% patients. Mixed ones, holding both common characteristics of them, were detected in 8.3% patients. These CT abnormalities disappeared after effective treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT plays vital role in the confirmation of the three minor diagnostic criteria for POEMS syndrome: extravascular volume overload, organomegaly, and bone lesions.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China Department of Radiology, Affiliated Renmin Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, PR China.
authors.forename: Shudong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Xianfu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, PR China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, PR China.
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, PR China zhuyan19591959@163.com.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China xi_xiaodong1955@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016878:POEMS Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Computed tomography (CT); POEMS syndrome; bone lesions; extravascular volume overload; organomegaly