Is It Wise to Eliminate Lymphography from the Staging of Hodgkin's Disease?

Abstract

We believe that lymphography and CT are complementary rather than mutually exclusive techniques for the diagnosis and staging of HD. Unfortunately, it seems that many radiologists and clinicians disregard the ability of lymphography to provide qualitative information on lymph node architecture, which is not available by CT. The use of lymphography is declining in several teaching centers throughout the world. This makes it difficult for young radiologists to acquire the skills needed to perform and interpret lymphographies successfully. In turn, radiologists who have little experience with lymphography are less likely to use the technique. Because most of the treatment-related morbidity in HD is dose-related, and because lymphography helps to avoid over- and undertreatment, we believe that high-quality lymphography continues to have a significant role in the staging of selected HD patients. Moreover, lymphography may reduce both the cost of management and the morbidity rate in many HD patients. One solution would be to continue to use lymphography in a small number of institutions specialized in the management of HD.