Evaluation of the effect of 90Sr-90Y applicator treatment for hemangioma by superficial ultrasound

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 90Sr-90Y applicator treatment for hemangioma by superficial ultrasound. Methods A total of 94 infants with hemangioma were retrospectively analyzed, including 37 males and 57 females (age range: 1-12 months, mean=4.5 months). Thickness of hemangioma was measured by superficial ultrasound on the day before 90Sr-90Y applicator treatment, 10 d and 3 months after treatment. Paired t test and χ2 test were used to analyze data. ROC curve was analyzed to determine the tumor thickness which could be cured by one-cycle of treatment. Results Sixty-two cases were cured, 29 cases had partial response and 3 cases had treatment failure. Thickness of hemangioma was (0.38 ±0.28) cm before treatment and (0.16±0.35) cm 3 months post-treatment and the difference was statistically significant (t=7.377, P<0.05). The treatment effect of 90Sr-90Y applicator was not influenced by gender. According to the site of hemangioma, the curative rates were 20/38 in head & neck, 22/33 in chest, 20/23 in limbs. Only the difference between the curative rates in head & neck and limbs was statistically significant (χ2=7.478, P<0.05). The treatment effect of 90Sr-90Y applicator was evaluated by the thickness of hemangioma under the skin at 3 months post-treatment and the area under the ROC was 0.93. The threshold of the thickness of hemangioma which could be cured by one-cycle of treatment was 0.32 cm with the sensitivity of 93.8% and specificity of 85.5%. Conclusions The 90Sr-90Y applicator had a good treatment effect on pure hemangioma in infants, especially for those located in limbs and torso. The lesion with thickness less than 0.32 cm had a higher chance to be cured by one-cycle of treatment. Key words: Hemangioma; Infant; Brachytherapy; Strontium radioisotopes; Yttrium radioisotopes; Ultrasonography