Role of 18F-FDG PET versus CT Scan in Evaluation of Extra-Nodal Lymphoma

Abstract

Purpose: To compare findings in fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) in patients with extra-nodal lymphoma by using a combined PET/CT scanner. Methods and Materials:Between 2011 and April 2013, seventy seven patients with confirmed pathology of Hodgkin (32 patients) and Non Hodgkin lymphoma (45 patients) with extranodal involvement diagnosed at Nasser Institute Cancer Center (NICC), ministry of health, Cairo, Egypt. After collection of the two reports separately, combined reading was allowed afterwards, and the differences were recorded for our study.Results: PET-CT is very effective in detection of lesions in the bone and bone marrow, few patients may have CT finding without corresponding FDG uptake, CT without PET may be very effective in detecting recurrences in soft tissue, renal and GIT extrannodal lymphoma. Conclusion:PET scan is more sensitive than the CT used alone, and the combination PET-CT can be considered the standard of care for detection of extranodal lymphomas excluding soft tissue, renal and GI lymphomas.