Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization is becoming established as an effective therapeutic modality for inoperable liver tumors. For resin microspheres, the 'body surface area (BSA)' method and the partition model can both be used for Y-90 activity calculation. The BSA method is semi-empirical, but more commonly used due its simplicity. The partition model is more accurate, scientifically sound and personalized, but less popular due to its complexity. This article provides a technical comparison of both methods with an emphasis on its clinical implications. Future dosimetric techniques for Y-90 radioembolization based on emerging technologies are also discussed.

Imaging of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can be broadly divided into anatomic and functional techniques. Anatomic imaging determines the local extent of the primary lesion, providing crucial information required for surgical planning. Functional imaging, not only determines the extent of metastatic disease spread, but also provides important information with regard to the biologic behavior of the tumor, allowing clinicians to decide on the most appropriate forms of treatment. We review the current literature on this subject, with emphasis on the strengths of each imaging modality.

Background. Active antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) that occurs during the amnestic response within the first month posttransplant is a rare but devastating cause of early allograft loss after kidney transplant. Prior reports of eculizumab treatment for AMR have been in heterogeneous patient groups needing salvage therapy or presenting at varied time points. We investigated the role of eculizumab as primary therapy for active AMR early posttransplant. Methods. We performed a retrospective observational study of a consecutive cohort of solitary kidney transplant recipients who were transplanted between January 1, 2014, and January 31, 2018, and had AMR within the first 30 days posttransplant and treated with eculizumab ± plasmapheresis. Results. Fifteen patients had early active AMR at a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 10 (7–11) days posttransplant and were treated with eculizumab ± plasmapheresis. Thirteen cases were biopsy proven, and 2 cases were presumed on the basis of donor-specific antibody trends and allograft function. Within 1 week of treatment, the median estimated glomerular filtration rate increased from 21 to 34 mL/min (P = 0.001); and persistent active AMR was only found in 16.7% (2/12) of biopsied patients within 4–6 months. No graft losses occurred, and at last follow-up (median [IQR] of 13 [12–19] mo), the median IQR estimated glomerular filtration rate increased to 52 (46–60) mL/min. Conclusions. Prompt eculizumab treatment as primary therapy is safe and effective for early active AMR after kidney transplant or abrupt increases in donor-specific antibodies when biopsy cannot be performed for diagnosis confirmation.

The modified right colonic inversion technique is safe and achieves intestinal continuity with a tension-free well vascularized anastomosis. Good function and low morbidity show that the procedure is a credible alternative to ileorectal or ileoanal anastomosis.

The study was terminated due to the limited activity observed in this heavily pre-treated group of patients. Further studies are needed to elucidate the optimal way of selecting patients for AKT inhibitors.

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During pre-therapy evaluation for yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization, it is uncommon to find severe imaging discordance between hepatic angiography versus technetium-99m-macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99m-MAA) single photon emission computed tomography with integrated low-dose CT (SPECT/CT). The reasons for severe imaging discordance are unclear, and literature is scarce. We describe 3 patients with severe imaging discordance, whereby tumor angiographic contrast hypervascularity was markedly mismatched to the corresponding Tc-99m-MAA SPECT/CT, and its clinical impact. The incidence of severe imaging discordance at our institution was 4% (3 of 74 cases). We postulate that imaging discordance could be due to a combination of 3 factors: (1) different injection rates between soluble contrast molecules versus Tc-99m-MAA; (2) different arterial flow hemodynamics between soluble contrast molecules versus Tc-99m-MAA; (3) eccentric release position of Tc-99m-MAA due to microcatheter tip location, inadvertently selecting non-target microparticle trajectories. Tc-99m-MAA SPECT/CT more accurately represents hepatic microparticle biodistribution than soluble contrast hepatic angiography and should be a key criterion in patient selection for Y-90 radioembolization. Tc-99m-MAA SPECT/CT provides more information than planar scintigraphy to guide radiation planning and clinical decision making. Severe imaging discordance at pre-therapy evaluation is ominous and should be followed up by changes to the final vascular approach during Y-90 radioembolization.

Laparoendoscopic single-site minor hepatectomy is a novel modification to traditional laparoscopic surgery. The method is safe and feasible without any compromise to oncologic safety for selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastases that are peripheral and smaller than 5 cm in size.