Yttrium-90 radioembolization using MIRD dosimetry with resin microspheres

Ammar Sarwar1, Alexei Kudla2, Jeffrey L Weinstein2

  • 1Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. asarwar@bidmc.harvard.edu.

European Radiology
|September 9, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) model prescribes higher activity for yttrium-90 resin microsphere radioembolization compared to the Body Surface Area (BSA) model. This MIRD approach is technically feasible and safe for selected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Interventional Radiology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres is a treatment for hepatic malignancies.
  • Accurate dosimetry is crucial for effective and safe radioembolization.
  • The Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) model offers a method for calculating radiation dose.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the technical feasibility of prescribing yttrium-90 resin microsphere radioembolization using the MIRD model.
  • To compare MIRD dosimetry with the Body Surface Area (BSA) model for activity prescription.
  • To assess the safety and adverse events associated with MIRD-prescribed radioembolization.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 60 radioembolization procedures for hepatic malignancies using resin microspheres and the MIRD model (November 2015 - February 2019).
  • Comparison of prescribed activity between MIRD and BSA models using Student's T test.
  • Assessment of adverse events at immediate, 30-day, and 6-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

  • The MIRD model resulted in significantly higher prescribed activity (1.7 GBq) compared to the BSA model (0.6 GBq) (p < 0.0001).
  • Successful delivery of prescribed activity was achieved in 93% of treatments.
  • The most common Grade 3 adverse event was abdominal pain; radiation pneumonitis occurred in 5% of patients, with no cases of radiation-induced gastric ulcer or liver disease.

Conclusions:

  • MIRD dosimetry leads to higher prescribed activity for yttrium-90 resin microsphere radioembolization compared to BSA dosimetry.
  • MIRD-prescribed activity, with target absorbed doses up to 200 Gy, can be safely administered in selected patients without the routine need for prophylactic embolization.
  • MIRD dosimetry demonstrates an acceptable safety profile for yttrium-90 resin microsphere radioembolization.

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