of dye to be injected through an intravenous (IV) line as well. Generally, there are no side effects from either type of dye; however, allergic reactions are possible. MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that is helpful in examining the brain and spinal cord for non- Hodgkin lymphoma. MRI uses radio waves instead of X rays. A computer helps translate the pattern of radio waves into very detailed pictures of parts of the body. The test is painless, but the machine makes quite a bit of noise. Your child must be able to lie still; some children may require sedation. PET SCAN A positron emission tomography (PET) scan can be a very useful test because it is sensitive in determining if enlarged lymph nodes contain non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells or are benign (not cancerous). A glucose solution (type of sugar solution) that contains a slightly radioactive substance is injected through an IV line and travels around the body; pictures are then taken with a special camera. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells can absorb the glucose solution and “light up” on the pictures. The test is painless, but the test may take a while and your child must be able to lie still. Some children require sedation. The substance is naturally excreted from the body and no special precautions are needed.
GALLIUM SCAN A gallium scan is very similar to a PET scan and can also detect areas of non-Hodg- kin lymphoma. Instead of a glucose solution, a tiny amount of radioactive gallium is injected through an IV line and travels around the body. Pictures are taken a few days later with a special camera. The test is painless, but some children may require sedation to help them lie still.
BONE SCAN A bone scan may be done to see if the non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells are present in or have spread to any of the bones. A small amount of dye is injected through an IV line and travels around the body. Pictures are taken about 2–3 hours later. The test is painless, but your child needs to lie still for the pictures and may require sedation. ULTRASOUND An ultrasound uses the echoes from sound waves to produce a picture of internal organs or tumors. It can help find tumors in the belly and can also see if the kidneys have tumors in them or have become swollen from being blocked by enlarged lymph nodes. An ultrasound is a painless test and uses no radiation. Your child lies on a table for a short time. If the ultrasound is of the belly, your child may not be able to eat or drink for several hours before the test. BLOOD TESTS Blood tests are done to monitor your child’s blood cells and body chemistries. The complete blood cell (CBC) count is used to detect anemia (low hemoglobin) and can also detect changes in the white blood cells (infection-fighting cells) and platelets (cells that help the blood to clot properly). Chemistries monitor changes in kidney and liver function. Other blood tests look for substances such as lactate dehydroge- nase (LDH) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which can be indicators or markers of disease in children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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