[Ga-67 scintigraphy for the localization and staging of malignant lymphoma]

Thirty-eight Ga-67 scintigraphies have been evaluated in regard to patients with an untreated malignant lymphoma or a recurrent lymphoma after a complete remission. Thirty-four studies (89%) showed positive findings. Waldeyer's ring and lymph node involvement were detected in 66% of the cases. The recurrent type was detected less often than the untreated malignant lymphoma, and there was no significant difference in detectability between Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although the malignancy grade for NHL did not affect the detectability, the intermediate and high grade NHLs tended to show a greater uptake than the low grade NHLs. The detectability was particularly good for neck and intrathoracic lymph nodes. Ga-67 scintigraphy tended to downgrade a malignant lymphoma to a lower stage, especially if in recurrence.