Colonic and rectal lymphomas. A report of six cases and review of the literature

Abstract

In connection with six cases of colorectal lymphomas, including five cases of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (3 primary, 2 secondary), and one case of Hodgkin's disease, the authors review the literature concerning the general features and radiological aspects of these pathologies. The radiological signs observed during barium enemas for non-Hodgkin lymphomas are as follows: a small nodular pattern, frequently with multiple lesions (45.7% of cases), a diffuse or infiltrating pattern (25.4%), a filling defect (22.9%), endo- and exo-luminal images (17.8%), ulcerating patterns (3.4%) and a pure mesenteric form (0.8%). Thus, associated radiological forms are present in 16% of cases. The preferential site is the caecum (52.5% of cases), followed by the rectum (21.2%). Colonic or rectal involvement by Hodgkin's disease is extremely rare. From a radiological viewpoint, the most frequently described pattern in the literature is an infiltrating lesion which may or may not cause stenosis; the most frequent site is the caecum.