title: An Extremely Rare Intersection: Neurolymphomatosis in a Patient with Burkitt Lymphoma Detected by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography.
abstract: Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rarely seen neurologic involvement of the systematic lymphoma. Its diagnosis is challenging, and requires biopsy. In cases where biopsy is not appropriate, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) may aid in diagnosis. Here, we present a 54-year old male patient diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma who underwent FDG-PET/CT in order to evaluate the treatment response after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. On viewing PET/CT images of the patient who complained of pain and weakness in his upper extremities after therapy, linear FDG uptake was observed in bilateral cervical 5 (C5), left cervical 6 (C6), bilateral cervical 7 (C7), and right lumbar 4 (L4) nerve roots. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed dilation and thickening of nerve roots consisted with FDG uptake observed on PET/CT images. Since biopsy was not performed, histopathological diagnosis could not be established. However, overlapping of clinical, PET/CT, and MRI findings strongly suggested the presence of NL. As is the case of this patient, in cases with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a combined evaluation of FDG-PET/CT and MRI modalities aid in the establishment of the diagnosis of NL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Ozan
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Oner
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kursat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okuyucu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alagoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Battal
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arslan
keywords: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose; Burkitt lymphoma; neurolymphomatosis; positron emission tomography/computed tomography