Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Published on: May 8, 2018
Thorotrast and the liver--revisited
1Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo 79106-1797, USA.
Background:
Thorotrast, a radiological contrast medium that was widely used from 1928-1955 is a thorium dioxide colloid that has been neutralized and stabilized by colloid, composed of dextran. The major site of deposition is the reticuloendothelial system where it is retained for a long time.
Case Reports:
Complications occurring late after exposure to thorotrast are described in two patients.
Results:
One patient had angiosarcoma of liver metastatic to bone and bone marrow failure after a 43 year latency period. The other patient had a thorotrast granuloma and angiosarcoma of the liver after 22 year and 28 year latency periods respectively.
Conclusions:
Complications due to thorotrast appear to represent consequences of chronic alpha irradiation.
