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The role of high dose 67‐gallium scintigraphy in staging untreated patients with lymphoma
Author(s) -
Larcos G.,
Farlow D. C.,
Antico V. F.,
Gruenewald S. M.,
Boyages J.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1994.tb04417.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lymphoma , radiology , scintigraphy , nuclear medicine , palpation , lesion , radiation oncologist , radiation therapy , surgery
Background: Gallium‐67 ( 67 Ga) scintigraphy has been reported to be of limited value in staging lymphoma patients. However, recent technical advances in radionuclide imaging have potentially enhanced the usefulness of this method. Aims: The purposes of this study were to determine the current: (1) sensitivity and specificity and (2) impact on clinicians' treatment decisions of 67 Ga scans performed at a teaching hospital. Methods: There were 46 newly presenting patients with lymphoma (13 with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and 33 with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]). Planar 67 Ga scans were performed up to eight days following injection of 300 MBq (8 mCi) with images interpreted by consensus of two blinded observers; sensitivity and specificity were determined on a lesion by lesion basis in comparison to computed tomography (CT) scans, palpation of peripheral lymph nodes and abdominal lymphangiograms (n = 5). The contribution of 67 Ga scans to clinicians' treatment decisions was also independently assessed by an experienced oncologist. Results: Gallium‐67 scan sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 96% for HD and 59% and 98% for NHL. Initial treatment plans were modified in three individuals (7%; 95% confidence intervals = 3–10%) due to lesions on the 67 Ga scan not prospectively detected or considered equivocal on other tests. Conclusions: Only a small proportion of newly diagnosed lymphoma patients benefit from staging with state of the art planar high dose 67 Ga imaging.