Efficacy of radiosynovectomy of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging.
The intra-articular injection of a radiopharmaceutical agent (radiosynovectomy) produces a reduction of the synovial inflammatory process. The inflammed synovial membrane can be identified with magnetic resonance imaging after the intravenous administration of gadolinium (MRI-Gd). A 6-month prospective study was carried out in 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis after radiosynovectomy of the knee. The efficacy was evaluated with clinical parameters and MRI-Gd. A progressive amelioration of synovial effusion, pain, articular range of mobility, total leucocytes count in synovial fluid and synovial membrane thickness through MRI-Gd was observed. The global efficacy was considered to be good in six patients, fair in three and bad in one. The study shows for the first time that MRI-Gd allows the evaluation of the response of the synovial membrane to radiosynovectomy.
Rheumatology Section, Hospital de Cruces, Bizkaia, Spain. reumcruces@pulso.com
A
A
Alonso-Ruiz
F
F
Pérez-Ruiz
M
M
Calabozo
F
F
Saez
J
J
Ignacio Pijoan
E
E
Ruiz-Lucea
I
I
Aretxabala
G
G
Ríos
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA