AIDS-related pulmonary lymphoma

AIDS-related pulmonary lymphoma (ARPL) is classified as a distinct form of pulmonary lymphoma. Pulmonary involvement is a common extranodal site in AIDS-related NHL.

Pathology

ARPL is typically a high-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the majority of patients have advanced HIV infection, with a mean CD4 count of around 67/mm^3 3.

Diagnostic criteria

According to some publications, the diagnostic criteria for pulmonary involvement requires ²:

• positive HIV status
• histologically proven lymphomatous pulmonary involvement
• absence of mediastinal and/or hilar adenopathy on chest radiography
• absence of extrathoracic lymphoma extension

Radiographic features

CT - HRCT chest

Features can be variable and can include:

• multiple peripheral well-defined nodules of varying sizes
  • usually, measure around 1-5 cm in diameter
  • reflect dense focal monomorphic cellular infiltrates
  • considered the commonest manifestation ^1,4
• centrilobular nodules
• subpleural parenchymal infiltrative changes
• peribronchovascular reticular infiltrative changes ⁴
• peripheral mass-like regions (may have associated cavitation).
• interlobular septal thickening

See also

• pulmonary manifestations of HIV/AIDS