Prospective Comparison Between FDG-PET/MR and FDG-PET/CT in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma and DLBC Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Prospective Comparison Between FDG-PET/MR and FDG-PET/CT in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma and DLBC Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
According to the most recent guidelines, total-body imaging techniques are an indispensable
 element in the staging and post-treatment re-evaluation in patients with lymphoma.
 Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is the
 gold-standard for the assessment of the disease in these patients. The use of alternative
 methods, without radiation, such as whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), could be a
 valid alternative; this would result an advantage, considering the young age of the majority
 of patients at diagnosis and the need to undergo to serial assessments. The recent
 introduction of combined PET total body MRI (PET/MRI) offers the possibility to integrate
 morphological information with the high resolution of MRI with the metabolic activity of PET,
 through the uptake of FDG, for a more accurate definition of the extent of disease in
 patients with lymphoma.
All patients diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin
 lymphoma that meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study. They will undergo an
 FDG-PET/CT for defining the staging and the therapeutic strategy. PET/MRI scans will be
 performed immediately upon completion of the PET/contrast-enhanced CT study and FDG tracer
 will be injected before the PET/CT exam and PET/MRI acquisitions will be practiced using the
 residual activity of the tracer. All patients will have to provide their informed consent in
 order to participate in the study.

 The combined assessment FDG-PET/CT and FDG-PET/MRI will be performed at diagnosis for
 staging, at the interim evaluation for early assessment of treatment response after 2 cycles
 of chemotherapy and finally the post-chemotherapy re-staging. The enrollment period is 24
 months for a total of 60 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and 60 with DLBC non Hodgkin
 lymphoma.

 Patients enrolled in the study will be followed for the diagnostic/therapeutic program at the
 Hematology Department of Federico II University of Naples, while the FDG-PET/CT and
 FDG-PET/MRI examinations will be carried out at the IRCSS SDN of Naples. The acquired images
 will be evaluated by a panel of experienced radiologists and nuclear physicians at the IRCSS
 SDN Naples.

 The results obtained from the examination MRI will not modify in any way the clinical
 therapeutic choices in the planned chemotherapy for the patient, who will not receive
 additional radiations. This prospective pilot study will be conducted after approval by the
 Ethics Committee; each patient will sign an appropriate informed consent.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Histologically confirmed diagnosis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large
 B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma;

 -  Age ≥18 years;

 -  The need of anti-neoplastic treatment;

 -  Written informed consent;

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Carriers of cardiac pacemakers;

 -  Carriers of metal mesh implants, tissue expanders (breast);

 -  Holders of metal implants, cochlear implants and stapedial prostheses, plates or
 screws, wires, nails, spinal-column distractors, ferromagnetic vascular clips,
 mechanical heart valves, Swan-Ganz catheter, endocorporal electrodes,
 neurostimulators, vascular filters, stents and metal spirals that they do not know the
 characteristics (the manufacturer, type and date of implant) and/or secure magnetic
 compatibility;

 -  Holders of metal fragments in the eye, visceral or intracranial;

 -  Tattoo holders executed by less than 6 months;

 -  Claustrophobic patients;

 -  Pregnant patients;

 -  Patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus;

 -  Patients who do not provide written informed consent to the study.