Limitations of Gallium-67 SPECT in histological transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: an analysis of 13 patients with clinically suspected Richter's syndrome.
Gallium-67 single photon emission computerized tomography (Ga-67 SPECT) was performed in 13 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients suspected of evolution into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLCL) or Richter's syndrome (RS). Six positive and nine negative Ga-67 SPECTs were observed. Ten patients were biopsied (five in each group). DLCL was not detected in any Ga-67-positive patient, including those in whom Ga-67-positive areas were biopsied. The only case of DLCL was demonstrated in a Ga-67-negative patient. The tumoral proliferative index (Ki67 antigen expression) was moderate and similar in both groups of patients. These results illustrate the limitations of Ga-67 SPECT in identifying RS.
Cobo
Francesc
F
Department of Haematology and Postgraduate School of Haematology Farreras-Valentí, Institute of Haematology and Oncology, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Rosiñol
Laura
L
Martínez
Antonio
A
Martín
Francisco
F
Esteve
Jordi
J
Gómez
Marta
M
Nadal
Elisabet
E
Bosch
Francesc
F
Javier Setoain
Francisco
F
Campo
Elías
E
Montserrat
Emili
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes