# Multimodal imaging techniques in Yttrium-90 radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a modality-oriented clinical review

**Authors:** Tingting Yang, Lijie Zhang, Wei Xu, Chuansheng Zheng, Bin Liang

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1748836 · 2026-02-03

## TL;DR

This review discusses how combining different imaging techniques improves the precision and effectiveness of a radiation treatment for liver cancer.

## Contribution

The paper consolidates evidence on multimodal imaging integration in Yttrium-90 radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

## Key findings

- Multimodal imaging enhances treatment planning and procedural guidance in 90Y-SIRT.
- Integration of imaging modalities improves assessment of microsphere distribution and therapeutic response.
- Current evidence highlights opportunities for optimizing imaging workflows in radioembolization.

## Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies with high global mortality. Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) is a precision radio-interventional treatment whose efficacy and safety critically depend on accurate microsphere delivery and dose distribution. This review provides an overview of imaging techniques used in 90Y-SIRT, emphasizing both single-modality and multimodal approaches. We summarize the clinical value of ultrasound, CT, MRI, angiography, and nuclear medicine, each providing anatomical, functional, or metabolic information. We further discuss multimodal imaging integration across the treatment workflow: pre-procedural fusion supports patient selection and dose planning; intraprocedural volumetric imaging guides catheter placement; and post-treatment functional imaging assesses microsphere distribution and therapeutic response. By consolidating current evidence, this review highlights the clinical utility of multimodal imaging and identifies areas for optimization in treatment planning, procedural guidance, and outcome assessment of 90Y-SIRT. This synthesis serves as a practical reference for clinicians and researchers aiming to improve the precision and effectiveness of radioembolization for HCC.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** Yttrium-90 (PubChem CID 104760)
- **Diseases:** hepatocellular carcinoma (MONDO:0007256), HCC (MONDO:0007256)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** SLCO1B3 (solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B3) [NCBI Gene 28234] {aka HBLRR, LST-2, LST-3TM13, LST3, OATP-8, OATP1B3}, SLCO1A2 (solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1A2) [NCBI Gene 6579] {aka OATP, OATP-A, OATP1A2, SLC21A3}, G6PC1 (glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 1) [NCBI Gene 2538] {aka G6PC, G6PT, G6Pase, GSD1, GSD1a}
- **Diseases:** portal vein thrombosis (MESH:D012170), colorectal liver metastases (MESH:D009362), thrombus (MESH:D013927), death (MESH:D003643), gastrointestinal ulceration (MESH:D014456), embolization (MESH:D004617), BCLC stage C HCC (MESH:D006528), gastritis (MESH:D005756), necrosis (MESH:D009336), vascular anomalies (MESH:D020785), Liver Diseases (MESH:D008107), gastric ulceration (MESH:D013276), cirrhosis (MESH:D005355), cirrhotic (MESH:D000094724), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (MESH:D065626), calcification (MESH:D002114), Malignant tumors (MESH:D009369), radiation pneumonitis (MESH:D017564), edema (MESH:D004487), hemorrhage (MESH:D006470), cholecystitis (MESH:D002764), extrahepatic disease (MESH:D001651), gastrointestinal shunting (MESH:C562451)
- **Chemicals:** 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (-), 18F-FDG (MESH:D019788), perflubutane (MESH:C108042), iodine (MESH:D007455), Gd-EOB-DTPA (MESH:C073590), 90Y (MESH:C000615496), water (MESH:D014867), 18;F-FCH (MESH:C514960), 11C-acetate (MESH:C438206)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909222/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909222