Quantitative CT imaging and radiation-absorbed dose estimations of Ho microspheres: paving the way for clinical application.

Background: Microbrachytherapy enables high local tumor doses sparing surrounding tissues by intratumoral injection of radioactive holmium-166 microspheres (Ho-MS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot properly detect high local Ho-MS concentrations and single-photon emission computed tomography has insufficient resolution. Computed tomography (CT) is quicker and cheaper with high resolution and previously enabled Ho quantification.

Intratumoral injection therapies for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: systematic review.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognoses of all cancers. Patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer have a 12.7-20.

Case Report: Radioactive Holmium-166 Microspheres for the Intratumoral Treatment of a Canine Pituitary Tumor.

In this case study, a client-owned dog with a large pituitary tumor was experimentally treated by intratumoral injection of radioactive holmium-166 microspheres (HoMS), named Ho microbrachytherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first intracranial intratumoral treatment through needle injection of radioactive microspheres. A 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier was referred to the Clinic for Companion Animal Health (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands) with behavioral changes, restlessness, stiff gait, and compulsive circling.

To 1000 Gy and back again: a systematic review on dose-response evaluation in selective internal radiation therapy for primary and secondary liver cancer.

Purpose: To systematically review all current evidence into the dose-response relation of yttrium-90 and holmium-166 selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in primary and secondary liver cancer.

Methods: A standardized search was performed in PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and the Cochrane Library in order to identify all published articles on dose-response evaluation in SIRT. In order to limit the results, all articles that investigated SIRT in combination with other therapy modalities (such as chemotherapy) were excluded.

Virtual reality distraction for patients to relieve pain and discomfort during colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is an invasive procedure that may cause patients pain and discomfort. Routine use of sedation, while effective, is expensive and requires logistical planning. Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, three-dimensional experiences that distract the attention and might comfort patients.

The various therapeutic applications of the medical isotope holmium-166: a narrative review.

Over the years, a broad spectrum of applications of the radionuclide holmium-166 as a medical isotope has been established. The isotope holmium-166 is attractive as it emits high-energy beta radiation which can be used for a therapeutic effect and gamma radiation which can be used for nuclear imaging purposes. Furthermore, holmium-165 can be visualized by MRI because of its paramagnetic properties and by CT because of its high density.