Purpose or Case Report: In the pediatric population, lymphadenopathy may be caused by a variety of diseases including lymphoma. Accurate differentiation of a non-lymphomatous lymphoproliferative disorder from lymphoma and other lymphoproliferative disorders is important in determining appropriate management. Radiologic imaging including assessment of cervical, mediastinal, and hilar lymphadenopathy can often provide the critical clue needed for accurate diagnosis.
Methods & Materials: - Describe multiple non-lymphomatous lymphoproliferative disorders that occur in the pediatric population including histoplasmosis, Castleman disease, infectious mononucleosis, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, Kimura disease, immunoglobulin G4-related disease, tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycoplasma, cat scratch fever, chronic granulomatous disease of childhood, and others.
- Discuss diagnosis of non-lymphomatous lymphoproliferative disorders and contrast imaging findings with case-based examples.
- Demonstrate the importance of accurate differentiation with a brief discussion of management.
Results: We review multiple cases of non-lymphomatous lymphoproliferative disorders in patients aged 0-18 years, illustrate diagnostic findings, and discuss management.
Conclusions: The radiologist plays an important diagnostic role when evaluating imaging in the pediatric population with lymphadenopathy. Appropriately recognizing and differentiating lymphomatous and non-lymphomatous lymphoproliferative disorders is critical in assisting the clinical team with diagnosis and ensuring appropriate patient care.