Table 3 Comparison of ultrasonographic features observed in low-grade alimentary lymphoma (LGAL) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Gastrointestinal wall thickness

Muscularis propria frequently thickened [8, 15, 59, 82, 95, 101]

Muscularis propria frequently thickened in eosinophilic enteritis (EE), possibly increased in lymphoplasmacytic enteritis (LPE) [15, 78, 82, 84, 95, 101]

Size of mesenteric lymph nodes

Lymphadenomegaly (> 5 mm) frequent but not systematic [8, 82, 95, 101, 102]

Lymphadenomegaly frequent but not systematic [78, 82, 95]

Gastrointestinal intramural masses

Rare but possible [75]

Rare but possible [75]

Stratification and architecture

Normal [8, 59] to modified [61, 82, 101]

Normal to modified [82, 95]

Motility

Normal to reduced [95]

Normal to reduced [95]

Intussusception

Rare but possible [2, 75]

Very rare but possible [2, 75]

Liver appearance

Hypo- or hyperechogenicity possible, lobular pattern if liver involved [2]

Non specific [2]

Pancreas

NA

Changes suggestive of pancreatitis (pancreatic hypoechogenicity, peripancreatic hyperechoic fat) [78, 173]