The reticuloendothelial system (RES), also known as the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS), is comprised of lymphoid organs including the bone marrow, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, microglia of the brain, tonsils as well as MALT (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue), BALT (bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue) and GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue). The T-lymphocytes make up 75 percent and the B-lymphocytes constitute 25 percent of the total lymphocytes. The spleen contains both B- and T-lymphocytes. Lymphoid tissue associated with mucosa, bronchus and gut are termed MALT, BALT and GALT, respectively. Tonsils respond to antigens by producing B-lymphocytes.
Since the basic tenets of imaging the reticuloendothelial system essentially remain the same, this chapter will be confined to imaging of the lymph nodes and spleen. Other organ systems (such as liver, thymus etc) will be dealt with elsewhere in this book.
The merits and disadvantages of all imaging modalities will be discussed. Moreover, the increasingly important role of newer imaging techniques such as PET-CT will also be emphasized, especially in the evaluation of post-treatment residual disease.
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Sebastian, S., Lucey, B.C. (2008). Reticuloendothelium Malignancy: Current Role of Imaging. In: Blake, M.A., Kalra, M.K. (eds) Imaging in Oncology. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 143. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75587-8_17
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