[Unusual digital articular destructions after radio-synovectomy and cortisone injection therapy for Bouchard arthrosis].
Starting in 1998, a female patient suffering from activated Bouchard arthrosis was treated with intra-articular steroid injections into digits of both hands. In September 2001, an additional therapy with erbium-169 injections into the same joints was begun. The injections were continued until March 2003. No benefit was observed. Instead, severe destruction of the involved joints with articular necroses and marked periarticular calcifications had occurred. The course of events are documented by plain film examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
The indication for alternating steroid injections and radio-synovectomies in patients with activated Bouchard arthrosis has to be reconsidered. In vivo and in vitro experiments are necessary to evaluate the potential harms of this combination of therapies. A close clinical and radiological control of treatment outcome with reevaluation of the indication is necessary.
Jablonka
K
K
Klinik für radiologische Diagnostik und Nuklearmedizin, Klinikum Bremen Mitte, St. Jürgen-Strasse, 28205 Bremen, Germany.
Freyschmidt
J
J
Uhlenbruck
C
C
D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003348:Cortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004871:Erbium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011868:Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D004871:Erbium; D003348:Cortisone