Technical Solutions to Ensure Safe Yttrium-90 Radioembolization in Patients With Initial Extrahepatic Deposition of {sup 99m}Technetium-Albumin Macroaggregates
Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of extrahepatic deposition of technetium-99m-labeled albumin macroaggregates ({sup 99m}Tc-MAA) after pretreatment angiography, before yttrium-90 radioembolizaton ({sup 90}Y-RE), and to report on technical solutions that can be used to ensure safe delivery of {sup 90}Y-microspheres in patients with initial extrahepatic deposition. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 26 patients with primary and secondary liver malignancies, who were scheduled for treatment with {sup 90}Y-RE in our institution in 2009, was performed. The angiograms and single-photon emission computed tomography images of all patients were reviewed by an interventional radiologist and a nuclear medicine physician, respectively, to identify and localize extrahepatic deposition of {sup 99m}Tc-MAA when present. Subsequently, the technical solutions were used to successfully perform {sup 90}Y-RE in these patients were evaluated and described. Results: Extrahepatic deposition of {sup 99m}Tc-MAA was observed in 8 of 26 patients (31%). In 7 of 8 patients, a second pretreatment angiography was performed to detect the cause of extrahepatic deposition. The technical solutions to enable safe {sup 90}Y microspheres delivery included more distal placement of the microcatheter in the proper/right hepatic artery in 4 of 7 (57%) patients; (super)selective catheterization of multiple segmental branches in 2 of 7 (29%); and additional coiling of a newly detected branch in the remaining patient (14%). This was confirmed by a second MAA procedure. {sup 90}Y-RE was eventually performed in 25 of 26 (96%) patients. No procedure-related complications (<30 days) were observed. Conclusion: Extrahepatic deposition of {sup 99m}Tc-MAA after pretreatment angiography did occur in 8 of 26 (31%) patients. The technical solutions as presented allowed safe {sup 90}Y-RE delivery in 25 of 26 (96%) patients.