Gallium-67-citrate scanning for the localization and staging of lymphomas

One-hundred-eight 67Ga-citrate scans were evaluated in Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas for staging, diagnosis of recurrence, and for determing the results of treatment. Accuracy as confirmed by comparing the scans with pathologic material or roentgenologic and clinical findings was found to be 83%. Known lymph node involvement was diagnosed correctly in 87% but accuracy was only 48% for extranodal areas. Bone lesions were diagnosed correctly in 83% compared with only 48% of lesions of the lungs and liver. Scans were 75% accurate in 28 patients scanned for initial staging. False negatives were present in 12%; recurrent tumor in an area of prior radiation therapy appeared to be the most common cause. There were 5% false positives. Gallium scanning is a useful adjunct to other methods of detecting lymphoma.