Recommendations for radioembolisation after liver surgery using yttrium-90 resin microspheres based on a survey of an international expert panel

INTRODUCTION: Guidelines on how to adjust activity in patients with a history of liver surgery who are undergoing yttrium-90 radioembolisation ((90)Y-RE) are lacking. The aim was to study the variability in activity prescription in these patients, between centres with extensive experience using resin microspheres (90)Y-RE, and to draw recommendations on activity prescription based on an expert consensus. METHODS: The variability in activity prescription between centres was investigated by a survey of international experts in the field of (90)Y-RE. Six representative post-surgical patients (i.e. comparable activity prescription, different outcome) were selected. Information on patients’ disease characteristics and data needed for activity calculation was presented to the expert panel. Reported was the used method for activity prescription and whether, how and why activity reduction was found indicated. RESULTS: Ten experts took part in the survey. Recommendations on activity reduction were highly variable between the expert panel. The median intra-patient range was 44 Gy (range 18–55 Gy). Reductions in prescribed activity were recommended in 68% of the cases. In consensus, a maximum D(Target) of 50 Gy was recommended. CONCLUSION: With a current lack of guidelines, large variability in activity prescription in post-surgical patients undergoing (90)Y-RE exists. In consensus, D(Target) ≤50 Gy is recommended. KEY POINTS: • BSA method does not account for a decreased remnant liver volume after surgery. • In post-surgical patients, a volume-based activity determination method is recommended. • In post-surgical patients, a mean D (Target) of ≤ 50Gy should be aimed for. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00330-017-4889-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.