The Relation Between Perfusion Pattern of Hepatic Artery Perfusion Scintigraphy and Response to Y-90 Microsphere Therapy

OBJECTIVE Hepatic artery perfusion scintigraphy is a routine procedure for patient evaluation before Y-90 radiomicrosphere therapy and mostly used for prediction of extrahepatic leakage. Moreover, it also displays perfusion pattern of tumours, which is an important parameter on success of the therapy. The aim of this study is to assess the relation between the perfusion pattern on hepatic artery perfusion scintigraphy and radiomicrosphere therapy response. METHODS A total of 99 radiomicrosphere therapy applications were carried out in 80 patients (M/F: 55/25). RESULTS Heterogeneous and diffuse perfusion patterns were observed in 47 patients and 52 patients, respectively. The patients with diffuse perfusion pattern had better therapy response both on FDG PET/CT (p= 0.04) and CT (p=0.008) when compared to those with heterogenous perfusion pattern. CONCLUSION Perfusion pattern observed on hepatic artery perfusion scintigraphy may be a successful predictor of early response to radiomicrosphere therapy. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None declared.