MALIGNANT-LYMPHOMA IN CHILDHOOD - ULTRASO UND DIAGNOSIS

The sonographic diagnosis of malignant lymphoma in childhood is descri bed. Malignant lymphomas are sonographically relatively uniform: initi al enlargement of the lymph nodes and organs involved and disturbance of normal echo texture by mainly hypoechoic lesions can be found. Gene rally, four sonographic patterns of infiltration are described: diffus e, small nodular, large nodular and bulky type. Secondary, tumor-relat ed or inflammatory complications (e.g. dislocation or compression of v essels, thoracic inlet syndrome, venous thrombosis, ileus, urinary ret ention, abscess and effusion) can be sonographically evaluated. Respon se to therapy correlates with normalization of size and echo texture a nd recovery from tumor-related complications. Differential diagnosis w ith ultra-sound is based on the topographic distribution and echo patt ern of infiltration and, with certain restrictions, on the echo-genici ty of lesions and perfusion feasible with Doppler sonography. The prim ary diagnosis has to be established histologically.