Deauville Criteria

Deauville Criteria is a five-point scale used in the assessment of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans in patients with lymphoma. It was first proposed at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma in Deauville, France, hence its name. The criteria provide a standardized method for interpreting PET scans, which are crucial in determining the stage of lymphoma and the patient's response to treatment.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The Deauville Criteria is based on the uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a radioactive glucose analogue, in the body's tissues. The scale ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating no FDG uptake and 5 indicating high uptake greater than the liver. The criteria are as follows:

No uptake
Uptake ≤ mediastinum
Uptime > mediastinum but ≤ liver
Uptake moderately increased compared to the liver at any site
Uptake markedly increased compared to the liver at any site

Clinical Application[edit | edit source]

The Deauville Criteria is primarily used in the management of Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It helps in assessing the patient's response to chemotherapy and in making decisions about further treatment. For instance, a score of 1 or 2 after treatment is generally considered a complete metabolic response, indicating that the treatment has been successful. On the other hand, a score of 4 or 5 may suggest that the disease is resistant to the current treatment, and a different approach may be needed.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

While the Deauville Criteria is widely used, it has some limitations. It may not be as effective in evaluating certain types of lymphoma that are less FDG-avid, such as marginal zone lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Furthermore, it does not take into account the size of the lymphoma or the number of affected lymph nodes.