Efficacy of radiosynovectomy of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging

Clin Rheumatol. 1998;17(4):277-81. doi: 10.1007/BF01451005.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / radiotherapy*
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gadolinium DTPA
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Knee Joint / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / administration & dosage
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / therapeutic use*
  • Synovial Membrane* / pathology
  • Synovial Membrane* / radiation effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / administration & dosage
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes
  • Gadolinium DTPA