Abstract
Yttrium-90 (Y-90) selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is increasingly used to treat inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. We describe two patients where hepatic falciform ligament Technetium-99m-macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99m-MAA) activity was identified on single photon emission computed tomography with integrated low-dose CT (SPECT/CT) scan during pre-therapy planning, and the steps taken to prevent radiation dermatitis. The first patient underwent prophylactic coil embolization of the patent hepatic falciform artery; the second patient underwent super-selective infusion of Y-90 resin microspheres to avoid the patent hepatic falciform artery. The incidence of falciform ligament Tc-99m-MAA activity detected on SPECT/CT at our institution is 10%. Tc-99m-MAA SPECT/CT scan provides valuable diagnostic information for treatment planning prior to Y-90 SIRT.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Salem R, Thurston KG. Radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres: a state-of-the-art brachytherapy treatment for primary and secondary liver malignancies. Part 3. Comprehensive literature review and future direction. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006;17:1571–93.
Riaz A, Lewandowski RJ, Kulik LM, Mulcahy MF, Sato KT, Ryu RK, et al. Complications following radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres: a comprehensive literature review. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2009;20:1121–30.
Leong QM, Lai HK, Lo RG, Teo TK, Goh A, Chow PK. Radiation dermatitis following radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case for prophylactic embolization of a patent falciform artery. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2009;20:833–6.
Ahmadzadehfar H, Biersack HJ, Ezziddin S. Radioembolization of liver tumors with yttrium-90 microspheres. Semin Nucl Med. 2010;40(2):105–21.
Sirtex Medical Training Manual. Lane Cove, NSW: Sirtex Medical Limited; 2004.
Salem R, Lewandowski RJ, Sato KT, Atassi B, Ryu RK, Ibrahim S, et al. Technical aspects of radioembolization with 90Y microspheres. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2007;10:12–29.
Kanzaki H, Nouso K, Miyahara K, Kajikawa N, Kobayashi S, Sakakihara I, et al. A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with skin injury of the upper abdominal wall after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: a case report. Cases J. 2009;1:7197.
Lin CC, Wu DK, Shih PM, Liu GC, Chuang WL. Supraumbilical skin rash and fat necrosis after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: a case report. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2004;20:36–40.
Ibukuro K, Tsukiyama T, Mori K, Inoue Y. Hepatic falciform ligament artery: angiographic anatomy and clinical importance. Surg Radiol Anat. 1998;20:367–71.
Kim DE, Yoon HK, Ko GY, Kwon JS, Song HY, Sung KB. Hepatic falciform artery: is prophylactic embolization needed before short-term hepatic arterial chemoinfusion? Am J Roentgenol. 1999;172:1597–9.
Baba Y, Miyazono N, Ueno K, Kanetsuki I, Nishi H, Inoue H, et al. Hepatic falciform artery. Angiographic findings in 25 patients. Acta Radiol. 2000;41:329–33.
Gibo M, Hasuo K, Inoue A, Miura N, Murata S. Hepatic falciform artery: angiographic observations and significance. Abdom Imaging. 2001;26:515–9.
Williams DM, Cho KJ, Ensminger WD, Ziessman HA, Gyves JW. Hepatic falciform artery: anatomy, angiographic appearance, and clinical significance. Radiology. 1985;156:339–40.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kao, Y.H., Tan, A.E.H., Khoo, L.S. et al. Hepatic falciform ligament Tc-99m-macroaggregated albumin activity on SPECT/CT prior to Yttrium-90 microsphere radioembolization: prophylactic measures to prevent non-target microsphere localization via patent hepatic falciform arteries. Ann Nucl Med 25, 365–369 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-010-0464-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-010-0464-9