Gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy and marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Ocular MALT.

We describe marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and especially MALT lymphoma occurring in the conjunctiva. Tumors of the conjunctiva and cornea are grouped into two major categories of congenital and acquired lesions. Lymphoid tumors of the conjunctiva are acquired tumors and can occur as an isolated lesion or can be a manifestation of systemic lymphoma. Primary lymphomas of the conjunctiva are extremely rare usually originate from extranodal marginal zone B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of MALT and occur among older adults with a mean age of 61 years. In the last decade it has been reported that MALT lymphomas may develop in various extraintestinal locations, sometimes even without the presence of a mucosa. Half of MALT lymphomas occur in the gastrointestinal tract. MALT lymphomas of the eye are rare and originate from the conjunctiva and the lacrimal glands. Studies evaluating the clinical impact of 67Ga-C scintigraphy for MALT-type lymphomas imaging are rare, based on small numbers, heterogenous groups of patients. Clinical examination, excisional biopsy, histopathology and immunohistochemical studies, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are also used for the diagnosis of cunjunctival MALT disease. A case of ours gives reason for further discussion. Treatment and follow-up of MALT lymphoma is described.