Current Role for Radioisotope Synovectomy

Publication date: Available online 23 June 2017 Source:Joint Bone Spine Author(s): Vincent André, Vincent Dalibard, Emmanuelle Dernis, Stéphane Varin, Grégoire Cormier Radioisotope synovectomy has been extensively used to treat patients with chronic inflammatory joint disease but has moved to a less prominent position since the introduction of new and highly effective drugs. Remaining indications are refractory synovitis, pigmented villonodular synovitis as an adjunct to surgery, and hemophilic arthropathy. The three main radioisotopes used are yttrium-90, rhenium-186, and erbium-189. Radioisotope synovectomy should be performed only by highly experienced professionals, to minimize the risk of injection-related complications. The available safety data, in particular regarding the risk of malignancy, are reassuring. The efficacy of yttrium-90 in chronic inflammatory joint disease remains controversial.
Source: Joint Bone Spine - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research