Radiologic spectrum of localized Castleman's disease.

We report seven patients with the localized form of Castleman's disease, diagnosed by surgical biopsy; four had the plasma cell type and three the hyaline vascular type. A variety of nonspecific clinical and radiologic findings were identified in these patients. Precise clinical staging is important to separate the widespread from the localized form of Castleman's disease, as the localized form may be successfully treated surgically. Percutaneous core needle biopsy is not helpful in the diagnosis of Castleman's disease. Significant computerized tomography enhancement with intravenous contrast in the hyaline vascular type is indicative of increased vascularity which may cause surgical complications when resection is attempted.