Expert consensus statement on computed tomography-guided 125I radioactive seeds permanent interstitial brachytherapy

The aim of this study is to develop expert consensus statement for recommendations of patient selection criteria, prescription dose, and procedure of computed tomography (CT)-guided 125I radioactive seeds permanent interstitial brachytherapy. Members of Chinese medical association radiation oncology branch, Chinese medical association radiation therapy professional committee, Chinese cancer society minimally invasive surgery branch seed therapy group, Chinese geriatric cancer society minimally invasive surgery branch, Beijing medical association radiation oncology professional committee, China northern radioactive seeds brachytherapy group formed a committee, which consists of physician members who come from the department of radiation oncology, surgery, intervention, internal medicine, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. The leader of the group organized experts to write the first draft based on clinical experience and literature review and then sent the draft to the commissioner for consultation, finally reached a consensus. Guidelines for patient selection criteria, prescription dose of 125I seed for different kinds of carcinomas, activity of per seed, and workflow of CT-guided permanent interstitial radioactive seed implantation (RSI) are presented in this study. The procedure of CT-guided RSI comprised eight steps: indication selection, preoperative preparation, preoperative CT simulation and position setup, preplan, intraoperative needle insertion, RSI, postoperative dosimetric evaluation, and follow-up. Patient selection criteria are developed. Guidelines for prescription dose of 125I seed for different kinds of carcinomas, activity of per seed, and workflow of CT-guided permanent interstitial RSI are provided.