[Radiosynoviorthesis in the treatment plan of chronic inflammatory joint diseases].
The effectiveness of radiosynovirothesis in the local treatment of chronically inflammatory joint diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, was evaluated.


METHODS
Follow-up examinations of 415 joints in 115 patients up to 4.5 years after intraarticular application of beta-emitting yttrium-90, rhenium-186, and erbium-169 were evaluated. The examination protocol included estimation of joint circumference, range of active joint moving capability, fist-bending power, and radiological assessment of joint destruction. Subjective assessment of pain, swelling, and joint function by the patients was evaluated by means of a score with three levels.


RESULTS
The mean range of active joint moving capability increased in all joint subgroups, compared with the initial examination, with exception of ankle joints examined more than 30 months after therapy. The mean joint circumference decreased in all joint subgroups. Good to excellent results were achieved in up to 66% of joints, satisfying results in up to 21%, and no improvement or further deterioration was noted in 13% according to subjective assessment by patients themselves. Treatment proved most effective in joints with poor or no alteration in X-ray examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
In the local treatment of chronically inflammatory joint diseases--especially beyond systemic drug therapy and local corticoid therapy--, radiosynoviorthesis is a low-invasive method, which may provide long-term relief of pain and swelling as well as improvement of joint function.
Nuklearmedizinische Abteilung Krankenhaus Zehlendorf, Berlin.
A N
AN
Savaser
K T
KT
Hoffmann
H
H
Sörensen
D H
DH
Banzer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D004871:Erbium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000528:radiation effects; D012211:Rhenium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011868:Radioisotopes; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes; D012211:Rhenium; D004871:Erbium
Die Radiosynovirothese im Behandlungsplan chronisch-entzündlicher Gelenkerkrankungen.