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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-03-2010 | Original Article

Time-dependent changes in ¹⁸F-FDG activity in the thymus and bone marrow following combination chemotherapy in paediatric patients with lymphoma

Authors: Ingeborg Goethals, Pieter Hoste, Ciel De Vriendt, Peter Smeets, Joris Verlooy, Hamphrey Ham

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 3/2010

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the time-dependent changes in ¹⁸F-FDG uptake by the thymus and marrow following combination chemotherapy for lymphoma in a paediatric study population.

Methods

Included in the study were 27 paediatric patients who were in complete metabolic remission after chemotherapy and who underwent off-therapy follow-up with serial whole-body PET-CT scans. A total of 142 PET-CT scans were recorded. ¹⁸F-FDG uptake by the thymus and marrow was assessed both visually and semiquantitatively. Visual uptake was scored on the three-dimensional maximum intensity projection of the whole-body PET image according to a three-point scale. For the semiquantitative assessment, standard uptake values were measured. To find a pattern in the ¹⁸F-FDG uptake by the thymus and marrow a moving average technique was applied.

Results

Our time series analysis indicated that the marrow activity was highest at cessation of chemotherapy and declined thereafter. During an off-chemotherapy period of on average 6 months, marrow activity decreased quickly. From 6 months onward, the activity declined more slowly. The posttherapy changes in ¹⁸F-FDG uptake by the thymus were quite different from the changes in uptake by the marrow. The lowest thymic FDG uptake was found at cessation of chemotherapy. Thereafter, thymic activity steadily increased, reached a peak on average 10 months after therapy, and then slowly decreased.

Conclusion

Knowledge of the time-dependent changes in metabolic activity in the thymus and marrow is important to avoid misinterpretation of increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake as disease in the off-therapy setting.

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Title: Time-dependent changes in 18F-FDG activity in the thymus and bone marrow following combination chemotherapy in paediatric patients with lymphoma
Authors: Ingeborg Goethals
Pieter Hoste
Ciel De Vriendt
Peter Smeets
Joris Verlooy
Hamphrey Ham
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-009-1280-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Time-dependent changes in ¹⁸F-FDG activity in the thymus and bone marrow following combination chemotherapy in paediatric patients with lymphoma

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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