GASTRIC MUCOSA-ASSOCIATED LYMPHOID-TISSUE LYMPHOMA - RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 6 PATIENTS

PURPOSE: To determine the radiographic findings of low-grade gastric m ucosa- associated lymphoid tissue(MALT) lymphoma on double-contrast up per gastrointestinal studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathology records double-contrast upper gastrointestinal studies, and medical records o f six patients with gastric MALT lymphoma were retrospectively reviewe d. RESULTS: The most common clinical findings at presentation included epigastric pain (n = 6), dyspepsia (n = 4), and nausea and vomiting ( n = 4). Double-contrast :,, studies revealed rounded, often confluent nodules of varying size in: four patients with low-grade MALT lymphoma , Nodularity was located in the gastric antrum (n = 2), body (n = 1), or body and fundus (n = 1). A fifth patient had a: malignant-appearing l-cm-diameter antral ulcer and a sixth had a 16-cm-diameter: polypoid , ulcerated mass in the gastric fund us;The latter patient was found t o have high-grade, MALT lymphoma with low-grade MALT lymphoma abutting the tumor. Five patients had associated Helicobacter pylori gastritis . Five patients had tage I disease, and one had stage TIE disease. At endoscopic follow-up:(n = 4), marked regression of tumor occurred afte r treatment with antibiotics, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: When low-grade MALT lymphoma is suspected on the basis of barium study results, endoscopic biopsy specimens should be obtained f or a definitive diagnosis so these patients can be treated before the development of high-grade gastric lymphoma.