HLI Scoring of Scans Is Better Than DS Method for Assessing Pediatric HL

Background: 18 F-FDG PET/CT is the routine imaging modality for assessment of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). In 2009, the 5-point scale Deauville score (DS) method was introduced to standardize the metabolic activity measurements. This method uses the FDG activity in the mediastinal blood pool and liver as references, but is strongly based on subjective evaluation. Objective: To determine the inter-observer reliability of using the DS method to assess FDG PET/CT scans for high-risk pediatric HL patients, and to determine if using a more quantitative scoring method could improve the interpretation reliability, called the Hodgkin Lymphoma Index (HLI). Design: Retrospective review. Methods: Clinical and imaging patient data from December 2009 to January 2011 by the multicenter Children's Oncology Group were obtained. Patients were aged Results: The FDG PET/CT scans from 101 patients after their first chemotherapy cycle and from 83 patients after their second cycle were evaluated. The more...