ABSTRACT
Purpose To determine the frequency of hepatobiliary infections after transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium 90 (90Y) in patients with liver malignancy and a history of biliary intervention. Materials and Methods For this retrospective study, records of all consecutive patients with liver malignancy and history of biliary intervention treated with TARE at 14 centers between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. Data regarding liver function, 90Y dosimetry, antibiotic prophylaxis, and bowel preparation prophylaxis were collected. Primary outcome was development of hepatobiliary infection. Results One hundred twenty-six patients (84 men, 42 women; mean age, 68.8 years) with primary (n = 39) or metastatic (n = 87) liver malignancy and history of biliary intervention underwent 180 procedures with glass (92 procedures) or resin (88 procedures) microspheres. Hepatobiliary infections (liver abscesses in nine patients, cholangitis in five patients) developed in 10 of the 126 patients (7.9%) after 11 of the 180 procedures (6.1%; nine of those procedures were performed with glass microspheres). All patients required hospitalization (median stay, 12 days; range, 2-113 days). Ten patients required percutaneous abscess drainage, three patients underwent endoscopic stent placement and stone removal, and one patient needed insertion of percutaneous biliary drains. Infections resolved in five patients, four patients died (two from infection and two from cancer progression while infection was being treated), and one patient continued to receive suppressive antibiotics. Use of glass microspheres (P = .02), previous liver resection or ablation (P = .02), and younger age (P = .003) were independently predictive of higher infection risk. Conclusion Infectious complications such as liver abscess and cholangitis are uncommon but serious complications of transarterial radioembolization with 90Y in patients with liver malignancy and a history of biliary intervention.
Subject(s)
Brachytherapy/adverse effects , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/radiotherapy , Cholangitis/etiology , Liver Abscess/etiology , Liver Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Yttrium Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brachytherapy/methods , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications , Female , Glass , Humans , Infections , Liver/microbiology , Liver Neoplasms/complications , Male , Microspheres , Middle Aged , Retreatment , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A 21-year-old male with a history of Down's syndrome presented with hematuria and right flank pain. Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis revealed right hydronephrosis and a right-sided pelvic vascular abnormality. Angiography revealed an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) fed by the right superior and inferior vesical arteries and nephrostogram showed a long segment of obstructed distal right ureter. Cystoscopy revealed erythema and edema of the right hemi-bladder and biopsy diagnosed polypoid cystitis. Treatment was performed by transarterial embolization with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Follow up cystoscopy and retrograde pyelography at 3 months post-procedure showed resolution of all visible pathology.