MRI Evaluation of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma of the Lacrimal Glands

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma has recently been defined as a distinct subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with characteristic clinicopathologic features. We describe MR imaging features of the lacrimal gland MALT lymphoma in a retrospective study of five patients. In three patients the tumor was unilateral and in two patients bilateral. An aggressive form of MALT lymphoma of the lacrimal gland was encountered in one case. No progression of the disease was noticed over a one-year-period, expect for one patient who gradually presented abdominal disease and died. Inner tumor structure, signal intensity on T2-weighted images and enhancement pattern were documented. Extension of the lacrimal lymphomas was also studied. Although MALT lymphoma of the lacrimal gland tends to be indolent, the lymphoma can spread to other sites.