Is ceCT necessary beyond FDG-PET/CT for primary staging in Hodgkin lymphoma?

Abstract

Several study supported that 18F-Fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computer tomography with low dose CT (standard PET/CT) is more accurate than contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT) in the primary staging of Hodgkin disease. The authors compared the accuracy of these examinations with this indication in their practice, and analysed the added value of ceCT which was performed as a supplement to standard PET/CT. Twenty-eight patients were categorized based on ceCT, single standard PET/CT and standard PET/CT with ceCT. Twenty-four patients were in the same disease-stage based on all methods. Disease was upstaged by standard PET/CT compared to ceCT in 4 patients. There was no change in stage when comparing standard PET/CT and standard PET/CT with ceCT. Standard PET/CT is more accurate than ceCT in the primary staging of Hodgkin disease. The authors established that it is not reasonable to supplement standard PET/CT with ceCT in this indication.