Correlating serum alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma with response to Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization with glass microspheres (TheraSphere™).

Background: Few studies have assessed the relationship between serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of the study was to evaluate whether peri-procedural serum AFP was correlated with Y-90 therapy response in HCC.

Methods: Patients undergoing Y-90 radioembolization with glass microspheres (TheraSphere™) for HCC between 2006 and 2013 at a single center were evaluated.

Fast-Track Registration: A Way to Increase Efficiency in the IR Division.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in patient registration process at an academic 2-suite IR Division to determine if moving registration from the waiting room to the vascular holding area decreased amount of time patients spent in the Radiology Department and improved start times.

Materials And Methods: A data collection sheet was created by evaluating patient-related processes; event timestamps were recorded on the sheet. The control group consisted of 33 patients who registered using the traditional process.

Evaluation of tolerability and efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in treatment of Child-Pugh B (7/8) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Introduction: Few studies have assessed the tolerability and efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in the treatment of Child-Pugh B (7/8) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Based on its mechanism of action, we hypothesized that IRE would be superior to microwave (MW) ablation and compared the liver tolerance and ablation success rates of these therapies in Child-Pugh B patients with HCC.

Methods: 55 patients with Child-Pugh B (7/8) HCC were treated with either MW ablation (n = 25) or IRE (n = 30).