BONE LYMPHOMA - COMPARISON OF TI-201 AND GA-67-CITRATE SCINTIGRAPHY IN ASSESSMENT OF TREATMENT RESPONSE

Assessment of response to therapy in patients with lymphoma involving bone can be difficult. Of the scintigraphic techniques available, Tl-2 01 may be the most ideal radiopharmaceutical because it reflects tumor burden more accurately than either Tc-99m MDP or Ga-67 citrate, We co mpared serial Tl-201 and Ga-67 citrate scintigraphs (24 studies, 12 pa irs) in assessing the response to therapy in three patients with non-H odgkin's lymphoma involving bone. In two patients who demonstrated a c omplete remission, uptake of Tl-201 diminished more rapidly and return ed to normal earlier than did Ga-67 citrate, Tl-201 did not show tumor recurrence in the one patient with lesions shown to be Tl-201 negativ e at baseline, Serial studies using Tl-201 may be superior to Ga-67 ci trate in the evaluation of lymphoma involving bone provided that Tl-20 1 avidity is demonstrated on baseline studies.