Primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma of the face other than mycosis fungoides. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance findings.

Objective: To describe the radiologic findings of primary peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) of the face other than mycosis fungoides.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 5 consecutive patients with pathologically proven primary facial PTCL other than mycosis fungoides were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with PTCL involving the sinonasal cavity or lymph nodes were excluded.

Results: Diagnoses of patients included in this study consisted of natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (n = 2), subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (n = 1), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (n = 1), and PTCL not otherwise specified (n = 1). Infiltration or swelling of the superficial space of the face was noted on both CT and MRI, mimicking inflammation or infection. Also seen were well-enhancing small nodular (n = 2) or infiltrative mass-like lesions (n = 2) within the areas of infiltration, which showed intermediate signal intensity on T2-weighted images. One patient demonstrated infiltration and swelling alone.

Conclusions: Primary facial PTCL is a rarely encountered tumor and demonstrates infiltration or swelling mimicking inflammation or infection. Nodular or infiltrative mass-like lesions may be helpful for its diagnosis.