Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT)

 Slow-growing neoplasm on basis of apparently benign clinicopathologic features

Age: 25-85 years (mean: 55-60)

Treatment: local surgical excision

Recurrence: 10-15%

 Clinical Findings 

 Asymptomatic: 40-50% (incidentally detected)

 Cough, dyspnea

   Fever, night sweat, wt. loss; 20-40%

Pathologic Findings 
 Gross: nonnecrotic, whitish masses with infiltrative and nondestructive growth and preservation of the lung architecture

 Microscopy: typical lymphoepithelial pattern
    


Imaging Findings
Pulmoanry opacity

    Solitary, well-delineated soft-tissue mass (M/C)

    Multiple unilateral or bilateral nodules

    Diffuse infiltrates along the bronchovascular bundles and interlobular septa, and extensive lobar infiltrates        mimicking pneumonia (less common)

Associated findings

    With air bronchograms (50%)

    Pleural effusion (10%)

    Nodal involvement (30%)


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