title: Role of F-FDG PET Scans in Patients with Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Low-Grade MALT Lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) plays a crucial role in the assessment and treatment of low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma; however, interobserver variation, inadequate accuracy in judging the depth of tumor invasion, and histological heterogeneity of the tumor can limit its role. Thus, we have assessed the role of (18)F-FDG PET scans in the management of Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric MALT lymphoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with H. pylori-infected low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma underwent an (18)F-FDG PET scan prior to receiving H. pylori eradication therapy. We analyzed these patients' clinicopathologic data and measured the baseline and change in the metabolic activity of the tumor using standardized uptake values (SUVs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients failed to achieve complete remission of the low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma after successful H. pylori eradication. The baseline SUVs were significantly higher in these patients compared to successfully treated patients, 13.35±0.07 vs 2.98±0.93, respectively (n=2 vs n=16, p<0.001). The reduction in the SUV was significantly greater in the complete remission patients compared to treatment failure patients (p=0.018).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high SUV at baseline (18)F-FDG PET and a lower reduction in the SUV within 3 months after eradication therapy are associated with treatment failure in H. pylori-positive low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma patients undergoing eradication treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Mijin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Jie-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Woo Ick
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Dae Ryong
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jae Bock
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Yong Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee