Clinical analysis of 18 cases with primary central nervous system lymphoma

Objective:To review the clinical features,MRI manifestation,treatment and prognosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL).Methods:Clinical datas of 18 cases of PCNSL admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical University of Chongqing from 2005 to 2010 were analysed retrospectively.Results:PCNSL showed variable clinical features,among which the symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure,neurologic dysfunctions and seizures were most common;MRI indicated hypo-signal in TlWI and hyper-signal in T2WI.Enhanced scanning showed the lesion was contrasted evenly and obviously with rarely cystic degeneration,hemorrhage and calcification.It might be solitary or mutiple and often occured in the supratentorial space;3 patients only accepted resection and 3 accepted whole brain radiotherapy after resection.The last 12 patients were given combined therapy including resection,chemotherapy and radiotherapy.The survival of patients who accepted combined therapy was significantly longer than that of those who accepted surgery alone or postoperative radiotherapy.Conclusion: It was difficult to preoperative diagnose since PCNSL showed no specificity in clinical features and MRI manifestation.The effect of treatment was poor with surgery alone,however the survival of patients extended significantly after combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy..