Treatment response assessment following transarterial radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2021 Aug;46(8):3596-3614. doi: 10.1007/s00261-021-03095-8. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Abstract

Transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres is an established therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Post-procedural imaging is important for the assessment of both treatment response and procedural complications. A variety of challenging treatment-specific imaging phenomena complicate imaging assessment, such as changes in tumoral size, tumoral and peritumoral enhancement, and extrahepatic complications. A review of the procedural steps, emerging variations, and timelines for post-treatment tumoral and extra-tumoral imaging changes are presented, which may aid the reporting radiologist in the interpretation of post-procedural imaging. Furthermore, a description of post-procedural complications and their significance is provided.

Keywords: Post-radioembolization CT findings; Radioembolization; SIRT; TARE; Yttrium; y90.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / radiotherapy
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Microspheres
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Yttrium Radioisotopes