Percutaneous insertion of hepatic fiducial true-spherical markers for real-time adaptive radiotherapy

Purpose: This study evaluated the success rate and complications of percutaneous implantation of hepatic fiducial true-spherical gold markers for real-time adaptive radiotherapy (RAR), which constitutes real-time image-guided radiotherapy with gating. Material and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 100 patients who underwent 116 percutaneous intrahepatic implantations of 2-mm-diameter, spherical, gold fiducial markers before RAR from 1999 to 2016, with Seldinger's method. We defined technical success as marker placement at the intended liver parenchyma, without mispositioning, and clinical success as successful tracking of the gold marker and completion of planned RAR. Complications related to marker placement were assessed. Results: The technical success rate for true-spherical gold marker implantation was 92.2% (107/116). Nine of 116 markers migrated (intra-procedurally in seven patients, delayed in two patients). Migration out of the liver (n = 4) or intrahepatic vessels (n = 5) occurred without complications; these markers were not retrieved. The clinical success rate was 100.0% (115/115). Abdominal pain occurred in 16 patients, fever and hemorrhage in seven patients each, and pneumothorax and nausea in one patient each. No major complications were encountered. Conclusions: Percutaneous transhepatic implantation of true-spherical gold markers for RAR is feasible and can be conducted with a high success rate and low complication rate.