Radiation pneumonitis following yttrium-90 radioembolization: case report and literature review

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2012 May;23(5):669-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2012.01.059.

Abstract

Radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) is a rare complication of radioembolization with yttrium-90 ((90)Y) microspheres. The present report describes a case of RP in a patient with liver metastases from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor after radioembolization with (90)Y glass microspheres. This patient developed clinical, functional, and radiographic findings consistent with RP, with near-complete pulmonary parenchymal recovery and no clinical evidence of relapse or progressive decline in pulmonary function over a 9-month period. As clinical use of radioembolization expands, rare adverse events such as RP may become more frequent. It is essential that interventional radiologists, radiation/medical oncologists, and nuclear medicine physicians recognize this potential complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Embolization, Therapeutic / adverse effects*
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / pathology*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Hepatic Artery
  • Humans
  • Jejunal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Liver Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lung / blood supply
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / radiation effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiation Pneumonitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiation Pneumonitis / drug therapy
  • Radiation Pneumonitis / etiology*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / administration & dosage
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / adverse effects*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / administration & dosage
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes