Radiation Dermatitis following Radioembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case for Prophylactic Embolization of a Patent Falciform Artery

• Published in: Journal of vascular and interventional radiology Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 833 - 836
• Main Authors: Leong, Quor M., MBBS, MRCS, M.Med(Surgery), FRCSEd(Gen), Lai, Hee K., MBBch, MRCP(UK), Lo, Richard G.H., MBBS, FRCR, Teo, Terence K.B., MBBS, FRCR(UK), Goh, Anthony, MD, MSc, Chow, Pierce K.H., MD, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-06-2009
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - complications; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - radiotherapy; Embolization, Therapeutic - methods; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - complications; Liver Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Male; Middle Aged; Radiodermatitis - diagnosis; Radiodermatitis - etiology; Radiology
• ISSN: 1051-0443; 1535-7732
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2009.03.011

The most common use of radioembolization is in the treatment of primary and secondary liver tumors, and the most common radioisotope used is yttrium-90. This form of therapy has been proven to be successful in achieving tumor reduction and prolonging survival. Adverse events, although uncommon and usually self-limiting, have been reported. The present report describes a case of radiation dermatitis caused by shunting of90 Y microspheres to the anterior abdominal wall via a patent falciform artery. When identified, prophylactic embolization of this patent artery may prevent the potential adverse event of radiation-induced dermatitis after radioembolization.