In vivo stability of ferric hydroxide macroaggregates (FHMA). Is it a suitable carrier for radionuclides used in synovectomy?

Ferric hydroxide macroaggregates (FHMA) have been widely used as a carrier for several radionuclides used in radiation synovectomy. Different rates of extra-articular leakage of radioactivity have been observed with 90Y and 165Dy. In order to understand the mechanism(s) involved in the extra-articular leakage of radioactivity, the in vivo stability of FHMA carrier was studied. Following an injection of [59Fe]Fe-FHMA into the knees of normal rabbits, the cumulative leakage of [59Fe]Fe-FHMA was 2.9% at 5 days and 12.3% at 14 days. More than 60% of this activity was in the blood. But when FHMA was double labeled with 59Fe and 166Ho, the 59Fe leakage significantly increased to 18.5% at 5 days and 27% by 14 days. The instability of FHMA is accelerated when it is complexed with 166Ho and may be due to the "mass effect" of 166Ho or due to radiolysis induced by high energy beta particles from 166Ho. These results suggest that FHMA is a suitable carrier only for the short lived radionuclides used in synovectomy.