title: Pulmonary embolization of iodine-125 seeds following prostate implantation.
abstract: The optimal treatment of prostatic carcinoma limited to the gland remains controversial. Treatment has included implantation of Iodine-125 seeds via both a suprapubic approach and, more recently, a transperineal technique utilizing ultrasound guidance. We recently have noted a heretofore unreported complication with this latter technique, namely, embolization of seeds to the lungs. Review of the chest x-ray films of 31 patients who underwent suprapubic implants showed no evidence of this phenomenon. One of 5 patients undergoing transperineal implant was found to have seeds lodged in the lung. Complications surrounding the various treatments of localized prostate carcinoma are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, New York University Medical Center, New York.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Steinfeld
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Plaine
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes