Radioactive 125I seed implantation for the treatment of recurrent cervical lymphatic metastases after radiotherapy：preliminary results in 17 cases / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of radioactive 125I seed implantation in treating recurrent cervical lymphatic metastases after radiotherapy. Methods During the period from Aug. 2011 to July 2012, 17 patients with recurrent cervical lymphatic metastases who had received radiotherapy before were admitted to authors’ hospital. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 23 metastatic lymph nodes were detected in the 17 patients. Brachytherapy treatment planning system (TPS) was used to formulate the number, activity and distribution of radioactive 125I seeds. The radioactive activity was 0.3 - 0.8 mCi (1.30 × 107- 2.96 × 107 Bq), and the matched peripheral dose (MPD) was 60 - 120 Gy. Guided by ultrasound and CT radioactive 125I seeds were implanted under local anesthesia. CT scanning was performed within 24 hours after the procedure. Postoperative D90 was (81.4 ± 2.1) Gy. CT examination was employed every two months to determine the tumor size and to record the complications. Results All patients were followed up for 6 months. The 6-month local control rate was 65.2%. The control rates (CR+PR) for4 cm (n=13) lymph nodes were 90%and 46%respectively, the difference between the two was statistically significant (P = 0.038). No significant difference existed between the control rate (CR + PR) and the un-control rate (SD + PD) for each lymph node group at cervical Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅴ grade Ⅱ was seen in 8 cases and grade Ⅰ in 7 cases. No severe complications occurred. Conclusion For the treatment of recurrent cervical lymphatic metastases after radiotherapy, radioactive 125I seed implantation is effective and mini-invasive with fewer complications. This technique is more suitable for < 4 cm solitary metastatic lymph node with clear border.