The following information was provided by the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via phone and email:
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare contacted the Agency on 5/15/25 at 1525 CDT to advise of a potential reportable medical event. During the afternoon of 5/15/25, a patient was administered a therapeutic dosage of 200 mCi of Lu-177 (Lutathera) which resulted in a total delivered dose that differed from the prescribed dose by more than 20 percent. The event was reported within the required time by the licensee. A reactive inspection will be conducted next week. An update received today, 5/16/25, indicates that the patient is reporting no adverse effects. The licensee's investigation remains ongoing.
Initial information indicates the intravenous administration of 200 mCi of Lu-177 (Lutathera) into the antecubital vein of the patient's right arm resulted in 142 mCi (less than 71 percent of the prescribed dosage) delivered to the target organ/tissue. The underdosing was confirmed after imaging the patient subsequent to the procedure on 5/15/25. The licensee is continuing their investigation and dose assessment. The patient and the referring physician were notified of the event as required.
Illinois item number: IL250021
The following additional information was obtained from the Agency in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance:
The Agency communicated that this could be a possible extravasation, as some fraction of the administered activity was found in the patient's arm, but this has not been confirmed. The target organ was the pancreas.
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.