Patient selection: malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's disease
Parameters:
(1) findings on physical examination
(2) findings on appropriate imaging study
If the lymphoma shows FDG ([18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose) avidity (based on histology) then PET-CT imaging is performed, else CT.
Criteria for lymph node involvement:
(1) palpable lymph node(s)
(2) positive imaging findings:
(2a) increased FDG uptake on PET-CT scan
(2b) unexplained lymph node enlargement on CT scan
The diagnostic certainty increases if other causes of lymph node enlargement or increased FDG uptake are excluded.
