RADIOLOGIC SPECTRUM OF LOCALIZED CASTLEMANS DISEASE

We report seven patients with the localized form of Castleman's diseas e, diagnosed by surgical biopsy; four had the plasma cell type and thr ee the hyaline vascular type: A variety of nonspecific clinical and ra diologic findings were identified in these patients. Precise clinical staging is important to separate the widespread from the localized for m of Castleman's disease, as the localized form may be successfully tr eated surgically. Percutaneous core needle biopsy is not helpful in th e diagnosis of Castleman's disease. Significant computerized tomograph y enhancement with intravenous contrast in the hyaline vascular type i s indicative of increased vascularity which may cause surgical complic ations when resection is attempted.