Primitive lymphoma of the uterine cervix: 3-T MR diffusion imaging and PET-CT features

While malignant lymphoma is known for intrauterine extension in case of advanced disease, primary lymphoma of the uterine cervix conversely remains unusual, although this location is more frequent than the intracorporeal form. Lymphoma is unexpected in the female genitourinary tract, and therefore tends to be misdiagnosed. We report a case of symptomatic primary malignant uterine cervix lymphoma in a 26-year-old woman whose accurate treatment planning was optimized by imaging modalities including 3-T MR diffusion imaging (EPI imaging, TR 6000/TE 19, b = 600 s/m2) and PET-CT. Vagina, uterine and cervix had apparent diffusion coefficient values ranging from 391 to 518, significantly above those of smooth or striated muscle (150–196). Correlation with in vivo optical imaging of the tumor was elaborated.