Purpose or Case Report: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality which affects transplant recipients of solid organs and allogenic bone marrow transplants. Paediatric recipients of organs that require high levels of immunosuppression are the most susceptible population. Incidence and the frequency of PTLD in paediatric age group is consistently higher than it is in adults. There is insufficient recent literature on imaging features of PTLD in the paediatric age group.
Our purpose is to illustrate multi-modality imaging characteristics of PTLD affecting different organs and systems in a cohort of paediatric patients with biopsy proven PTLD.
Methods & Materials: We retrospectively reviewed imaging studies of children diagnosed of PTLD in our institution following solid organ and bone marrow transplantation over a period of ten years.
Results:
Imaging findings:
Imaging features of PTLD are multiple and complex and can affect nearly any organ or system. It can involve the allograft or other nodal or extra nodal sites. Most patients present with enlarged lymph nodes masses.
Involvement of the Waldeyer’s ring, pharyngeal and palatine tonsils and cervical adenopathy are common manifestations of head and neck disease
Gastrointestinal tract disease manifest as bowel wall thickening, intussusception and abdominal lymphadenopathy.
Solid organ involvement manifest as focal lesions, infiltration and organ enlargement.
Conclusions: PTLD remains an important treatment associated complication in paediatric transplant recipients. As imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis and surveillance, familiarity with imaging features of PTLD is paramount for early diagnosis and management of these patients.