RESUMO
UNLABELLED: This work aimed to assess the utility of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in the diagnosis and follow-up of lymphoma patients. Seventy-two patients with a previous diagnosis of lymphoma (41 with Hodgkin's and 31 with non-Hodgkin's disease) and a control group of 8 patients with palpable lymph nodes and a negative diagnosis of lymphoma based on the clinical examination, chest x-ray, lymphography, ultrasounds and biopsy were studied. Whole body scintigraphies were performed 20 min and 2 h after i.v. administration of 740 MBq of 99mTc-MIBI. The joint result of the already mentioned standard diagnostic tests was considered as the confirmation criterion. A sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 96,2%, 100% and 97,4% respectively were obtained. Kappa coefficient was k = 0,94 +/- 0,11. CONCLUSION: Scintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBI is a useful tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of lymphomas regardless of their classification.