Radiological features of oral and maxillofacial plasmablastic lymphomas

Objective The purpose of the current study was to report on the clinical presentation and radiological features of 72 cases of oral and maxillofacial plasmablastic lymphomas (PBL). Methods Histologically confirmed cases of PBL were retrospectively reviewed over a 10-year period. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from the patient’s records. Radiological information was obtained from the available radiographic examinations. Results The prevalence of PBL was 0.6% of diagnosed head and neck lesions. PBL presented at a mean age of 39 years, demonstrating a strong male predominance. All patients with a known retroviral disease (RVD) status were HIV-positive. PBL had a maxillary predilection (78%), with posterior regions of both jawbones most commonly affected (76%). Most cases had bony involvement (95%), with poorly demarcated bony borders seen in the majority of cases (93%). PBL had a tendency to cause a loss of cortical integrity (96%), either via cortical erosion or destruction, rather than cortical expansion (2%). Conclusion Most of the current literature on PBL focuses on demographics, anatomical location, and histopathological profile, with radiological features only reported in isolated case reports. This study is the first of its kind to report on the clinicoradiological appearance of PBL in a large sample. These findings may assist clinicians in the clinical diagnostic work-up of patients, including the acquisition and assessment of appropriate advanced radiographic imaging.