Abstract：Objective: To explore the imaging diagnosis of bone malignant lymphoma. Materials and Methods: Thirteen cases of bone malignant lymphoma verified by operation and pathology were analyzed retrospectively. Thirteen cases were examined by X-ray, 9 cases were also checked by CT and 2 cases examined by MRI. Results: In 12 cases of the primary bone malignant lymphoma, the lesion of 5 cases was in the mandible, clavicle, ulna and thoracic vertebrae. Two cases were in the tibia and the iliac bone, 3 cases were in the femur. Two cases had metastases in the thoracic vertebrae, 4 cases with pathological fracture, in one case primary mediastinal malignant lymphoma with bone metastases. The CT and X-ray features of 5 cases were osteolytic type, 4 cases were of infiltrating type, 2 cases were of sclerotic type(one case with ivory vertebra), 2 cases of mixed-type. In 2 cases, MRI showed slightly hypointense or homogeneous on T1WI, slightly hyperintense or homogeneous on T2WI, slightly hyperintense on fat suppressed sequence, mild to moderate and homogeneous or inhomogeneous Gd DTPA enhancement with the contrast agent. Conclusion: X-ray examination plays an important role in the diagnosis of the bone malignant lymphoma. Its characteristics are ivory vertebra, multiple level vertebral body involvement and multifocal destruction, osteolytic multifocal destruction of long bones. Compared with X-ray, CT can more clearly discern the lesions such as destruction of bone, the sclerotic reaction, periosteal reaction, the invasion of soft tissues. Compared CT and X-ray, MRI can more clearly identify the lesions such as the early changes of bone mineral content invaded by lymphoma and the early involvement of bone marrow.
2008, Vol. 19 
