MRI-based biodistribution assessment of holmium-166 poly(L-lactic acid) microspheres after radioembolisation

Gerrit H van de Maat1, Peter R Seevinck, Mattijs Elschot

  • 1Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Q S.459, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. g.h.vandemaat@umcutrecht.nl

European Radiology
|September 28, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MRI accurately assessed holmium-166 poly(L-lactic acid)-loaded microspheres (Ho-PLLA-MS) biodistribution after radioembolisation. This MRI-based dosimetry allows for detailed visualization and quantitative measurement of radiation dose.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Medical Physics

Background:

  • Radioembolisation using holmium-166 poly(L-lactic acid)-loaded microspheres (Ho-PLLA-MS) is a treatment for liver cancer.
  • Accurate dosimetry is crucial for effective treatment and minimizing side effects.
  • Current methods for assessing biodistribution and radiation dose may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility of using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to assess the intrahepatic biodistribution of Ho-PLLA-MS.
  • To determine if MRI can be used to estimate the absorbed radiation dose after radioembolisation.
  • To compare MRI-based dosimetry with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).

Main Methods:

  • Fifteen patients undergoing radioembolisation with Ho-PLLA-MS were included in a phase I study.
  • Multi-echo gradient-echo MRI sequences were acquired to generate R2 maps.
  • The amount of Ho-PLLA-MS was quantified using MRI-derived relaxivity (r2) and compared to SPECT for radiation dose assessment.

Main Results:

  • R2 maps effectively visualized Ho-PLLA-MS deposition in the liver with high detail.
  • MRI detected 89% (±19%) of the administered Ho-PLLA-MS, showing good correlation (r=0.7) with administered amounts.
  • A strong correlation (r=0.927) was observed between MRI and SPECT for whole-liver absorbed radiation dose estimation.

Conclusions:

  • MRI-based dosimetry is a feasible method for holmium-166 radioembolisation.
  • MRI provides detailed visualization of Ho-PLLA-MS biodistribution.
  • Quantitative MRI measurements enable accurate estimation of absorbed radiation dose.

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