Differentiation Between Residual Cancer and Thymic Hyperplasia in Malignant Non-Hodgkinʼs Lymphoma With Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy

In patients with treated malignant lymphoma, Ga-67 uptake in the mediastinum is seen only in viable lymphoma, but not in fibrotic or necrotic tissue. However, in children increased Ga-67 uptake in the mediastinum may be observed because of thymic hyperplasia. Somatostatin- receptor-scintigraphy is also a sensitive method in detection of malignant lymphoma. The authors present findings that suggest somatostatin receptor scintigraphy may clarify false-positive Ga-67 imaging.