Table 1 Physical characteristics of MAA and ⁹⁰Y microspheres

Commercial name

SIR-Spheres®

TheraSphere®

Manufacturer

Sirtex Medical

Boston Scientific

Diameter (μm) ± standard deviation (μm)

31.2; Range (10–100)

non spherical

32.5 ± 2.5; range (20–60)

25 ± 5

Specific gravity

n/a

1.6 g/mL

3.6 g/mL

Vial activity (GBq)

1.5 (α)–3.7 (β)

2.5–10**

From 3* to 20*, with 0.5 step

Activity per particle (Bq)

333 (α)–822 (β)

42–166**

4354*, 1539^♦, 544^♥

Millions of particle per GBq

3 (α)–1.2 (β)

24–6**

0.23*, 0.65^♦, 1.84^♥

Millions of particles in a typical administration

0.3–0.7

1.2 GBq

28.8–7.2** millions

2.6 GBq

1.7^♦ 4.8^♥ millions

Stasis phenomenon (backflow, jammed injection)

Never reported

Reported

Never reported

Material

Human albumin

Resin with ⁹⁰Y on surface

⁹⁰Y in glass matrix

Shelf life

6 h from labelling

(− 4, + 1) days

12 days

Handling vial for dispensing

Required

Required

Not required

Vial fractionation in syringe

Required

Required

Not required

Iodinated contrast medium during administration

Not required

Recommended

Not required