18F-FDG PET/contrast enhanced CT in the standard follow-up of patients with lymphoma

• Published in: Revista Española de medicina nuclear e imagen molecular (English ed.) Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 151 - 155
• Main Authors: García Vicente, A M, Talavera Rubio, M P, Dominguez Ferreras, E, Calle Primo, C, Amo-Salas, M, Tello Galán, M J, Jiménez Londoño, G A, Jiménez Aragón, F, Hernández Ruiz, B, Soriano Castrejón, Á
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: 01.05.2018
• ISSN: 2253-8089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.remn.2017.09.003

AIMTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/contrast enhanced computed tomography (ceCT) in the detection of asymptomatic recurrences in patients with lymphoma. MATERIAL AND METHODSPatients with lymphoma and clinical complete remission underwent 18F-FDG PET/ceCT for standard follow-up.18F-FDG PET and ceCT were evaluated blindly by two independent observers, and classified as positive or negative for recurrence. Additionally a combined evaluation of both techniques was performed. The final diagnosis was established by histopathological analysis or a clinical follow-up longer than 6 months. Statistical diagnostic parameters and concordance levels between both diagnostic techniques were calculated. RESULTSA total of 114 explorations on 90 patients were analyzed. Only 4 patients were diagnosed as asymptomatic recurrence during the follow-up. 18F-FDG PET/ceCT, 18F-FDG PET and ceCT showed an association with the final diagnosis (p=0.002 and χ2=11.96; p<0.001 and χ2=15.60; p=0.001 and χ2=11.96, respectively). The concordance between 18F-FDG PET and ceCT was moderate/high and significant (kappa=0.672; p<0.001). A sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 88% was obtained for the 18F-FDG PET/ceCT civ, 50% and 93% for the 18F-FDG PET, and 50% and 91% for the ceCT. CONCLUSIONThe combined use of 18F-FDG PET/ceCT did not offer any advantage compared to any isolated diagnostic technique in the detection of asymptomatic lymphoma recurrence.