Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Y-90 Radioembolization and PD-1 Inhibitor as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: May 24, 2024
Hepatic abscess after yttrium-90 radioembolization for islet-cell tumor hepatic metastasis
Neil B Mascarenhas1, Mary F Mulcahy, Robert J Lewandowski
1Department of Radiology, Section of Interventional Radiology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. neilmascarenhas1@gmail.com
Abstract:
Infectious complications after yttrium-90 (y-90) radioembolization of hepatic tumors are rare. Most reports describe hepatic abscesses as complications of other locoregional therapies, such as transcatheter arterial embolization or chemoembolization. These usually occur in patients with a history of biliary intervention and present several weeks after treatment. We report a case of hepatic abscess formed immediately after y-90 radioembolization of a hepatic metastasis in a patient who had no history of previous biliary instrumentation.
Insights
Infectious complications like hepatic abscesses are rare after yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization. This case highlights an immediate abscess formation without prior biliary intervention, differing from typical presentations.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary oncology
- Interventional radiology
- Nuclear medicine
Background:
- Infectious complications following radioembolization for hepatic tumors are infrequent.
- Hepatic abscesses are more commonly associated with transcatheter arterial embolization or chemoembolization.
- Previous biliary interventions are often reported in patients developing hepatic abscesses post-treatment, typically presenting weeks later.
Observation:
- A case of immediate hepatic abscess formation after Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization is presented.
- The patient had a hepatic metastasis treated with Y-90 radioembolization.
- The patient had no prior history of biliary instrumentation.
Findings:
- This report details an unusual case of hepatic abscess developing immediately post-Y-90 radioembolization.
- The abscess occurred in a patient without a history of biliary procedures, challenging typical etiological associations.
- This presentation differs from the usual delayed onset of hepatic abscesses seen after other locoregional therapies.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for rare, immediate infectious complications following Y-90 radioembolization.
- Suggests that hepatic abscesses can occur even in the absence of prior biliary instrumentation.
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance and prompt diagnosis of infectious complications after Y-90 radioembolization, regardless of patient history.
