Richter Syndrome Presenting With Colon Localization

Clin Nucl Med. 2019 Feb;44(2):e87-e89. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000002393.

Abstract

A 75-year-old man, who had been diagnosed with small lymphocytic lymphoma with cervical localization, underwent F-FDG PET/CT with iodinated contrast medium due to the appearance of cervical swelling suspected of illness relapse. PET/CT revealed intense F-FDG uptake in multiple cervical and subdiaphragmatic lymph nodes and in the left parotid. Moreover, diffuse uptake and wall thickening of the colon were evident; endoscopy with biopsy revealed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Transformation into a more aggressive lymphoma occurs in 2% to 8% of small lymphocytic lymphoma, the so-called Richter syndrome. Extranodal localization in the sigmoid colon is an extremely rare site for transformed lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Colon / diagnostic imaging
  • Colon / pathology*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology*
  • Male
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18