Castleman's disease of the neck: a description of four cases on contrast-enhanced CT

Br J Radiol. 2004 Mar;77(915):253-6. doi: 10.1259/bjr/52051980.

Abstract

Castleman's disease of the neck is an uncommon benign lymphoproliferative disease that usually presents as homogeneously enhancing enlarged lymph nodes on contrast-enhanced CT scan. We described the appearance of four confirmed cases of Castleman's disease of the neck on contrast-enhanced CT scan. Three of these presented as a solitary enhancing lymph node and the fourth case presented with multiple bilateral enhancing lymph nodes. A central non-enhancing area was present in two of the three cases that presented as a solitary node. Pathological correlation of one of these cases showed that this was due to a central fibrotic scar. One of the enhancing nodes in the fourth case with multiple and bilateral lymphadenopathy also contained a central non-enhancing area. We would like to propose that if a central non-enhancing scar is observed in an enhancing lymph node in the neck on CT scan, Castleman's disease should be considered as a possible diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Castleman Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neck / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Contrast Media