No infectious hepatic complications following radioembolization with 90Y microspheres in patients with biliodigestive anastomosis

Abstract

Aim: To retrospectively evaluate infectious hepatic complications of transarterial radioembolization (RE) of the liver in patients with pre-existing biliodigestive anastomosis.

Patients and methods: Patients who underwent RE were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had at least a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or contrast-enhanced triple-phase computed tomographic scan before and 6-8 weeks after RE.

Results: Overall, 143 patients (67 women, 76 men; median age = 65 ± 11.2 years) were analyzed. Nine patients had a biliodigestive anastomosis. The complications were as follows: one case of cholecystitis, three of gastroduodenal ulcer with one ulcer perforation, and six of radioembolization-induced liver disease. There were no infectious complications. There were no major or minor complications in the group with previous biliodigestive anastomosis.

Conclusion: Pre-existing bilioenteric anastomoses are not a negative predictive factor for the development of infectious hepatic complications after RE. RE with (90)Y microspheres can be safely performed following careful patient selection.

Keywords: Liver metastasis; biliodigestive anastomosis; bilioenteric anastomosis; complications; hepaticojejunostomy; liver abscess; radioembolization.