Optimizing Safety of Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) of Hepatic Tumors with 90Y Resin Microspheres: A Systematic Approach to Preparation and Radiometric Procedures

Arterial administration of 90Y microspheres is used for salvage therapy in patients with primary or metastasized tumors within the liver. The clinical use of high-yield beta emitters presents unique calibration, dosage measurement, and exposure monitoring tasks. This report illustrates the following issues: determination of container and volume-specific correction factors in a standard dose calibrator for various receipt and dispensing vial geometries using a U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology-traceable 90Y standard solution; documentation of delivery and localization of the radionuclide; statistically-verified ion chamber measurements of residual (non infused) radioactivity; and measurement of occupational radiation exposures.