Radiosynovectomy of the elbow joint synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis treated with Lutetium - 177 labeled hydroxylapatite (Lu-177 HA) particulates; first case report and image of Lu -177 HA in the elbow joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that is mainly characterized by asymmetric erosive synovitis, particularly affecting the peripheral joints. Radiation synovectomy or radiosynovectomy, also known as radiosynoviorthesis was first described in 1950's as a adjuvant treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Radiosynovectomy is based on the irradiation of the joint synovium by the intra-articular administration of various β-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. Lu-177 has presence of gamma photons of imagable energy with low abundance which provides the additional benefit of carrying out simultaneous scintigraphy. We describe the first case report of use of Lu-177 hydroxylapatite particulates in a 35-year-old female patient who was presented with elbow joint synovitis due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital Limited, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Koramadai Karuppusamy
KK
Kamaleshwaran
Department of Rheumatology, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital Limited, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Venkataraman
V
Rajamani
Department of Orthopedics, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital Limited, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Subbiah Gounder
SG
Thirumalaisamy
Isotope Applications and Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Sudipta
S
Chakraborty
Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital Limited, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Radhakrishnan
R
Kalarikal
Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital Limited, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Vyshakh
V
Mohanan
Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital Limited, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ajit Sugunan
AS
Shinto
Elbow joint; lutetium-177 HA; radiosynovectomy; rheumatoid arthritis