FDG PET/CT and Directed Metabolic Core Needle Biopsy in the Management of Lymphoma

Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants for PET/CT-guided biopsy. The procedure details, related risks, and benefits were explained to all the participants. A multidisciplinary team including hemato-oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and pathologists were involved in the project. A hemato-oncologist decided the biopsy indication after discussing it with the nuclear medicine physician. FDG avid lesions in a clinically suspected case of lymphoma or a suspicious, residual FDG avid lesion detected at the time of follow-up PET/CT imaging in a patient with a prior diagnosis of lymphoma were sampled. The per and post-procedural complications and management were maintained in the institutional PET data registry and the final histopathological diagnosis obtained was also collected.

Inclusion criteria

• FDG avid lesion in a clinically suspected case of lymphoma.
• Suspicious, residual FDG avid lesion detected at the time of follow-up PET/CT imaging in a patient with a prior diagnosis of lymphoma either at the end-of-treatment or during surveillance.

Exclusion criteria

• Deranged coagulation profile.
• Inaccessibility of the lesion for a percutaneous biopsy.
• Resolution of the lesion at the time of biopsy planning.
• Participant is not willing for the procedure.
• Pregnant females and participants less than 18 years of age.