Radiological features of burkitt's lymphoma

Abstract

Background: Diagnostic radiology investigations play important roles in the management of Burkitt's Lymphoma. Objectives: To document the various radiological manifestations of Burkitt's lymphoma as seen in patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Design: Prospective study of Burkitt's Lymphoma cases admitted to the paediatric and Ear, Nose and Throat Wards. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital. Main outcome measures.' All histological proven cases of BL had the following documented; Age sex, tribe, geographical (province) of origin, full medical evaluation results, presenting site of tumour, radiological findings and results of chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound occipital frontal view of the skull X-ray. computerised tomography, myelography and orthopantomograms. Results: In the period between April 1991 and March 1992 this study registered 49 patients age range 2 to 14 years. These were males 34 (69%) and females 15 (31 %). The commonest radiological findings was associate with intra abdominal lymphoma seen in 65.2 % of the cases, the least findings associated with cervical adenopathy and pleural effusion each 3.3% of cases. Twenty (41 %) of the disease was clinically confined to the facial area while radiologically 25 % of these were demonstrated to extend to the abdomen as well. Conclusion: Disease extent on radiological examination was found to be more extensive compared to clinical evaluation alone. The observation emphasised the role of radiological investigation in the management of lymphomas in this setting.