Lutetium-177 tin colloid radiosynovectomy in patients with inflammatory knee joint conditions intractable to prevailing therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the treatment response of lutetium-177 tin colloid radiosynovectomy (Lu-RSV) in patients with inflammatory knee joint conditions refractory to conventional treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Overall, 29 knee joints in 29 patients with chronic synovitis caused by various inflammatory knee joint diseases refractory to conventional therapy were included in this prospective study. All patients were assessed clinically for pain, tenderness, joint swelling, mobility, analgesic intake, and blood pool activity on bone scan. Different scores were assigned to all these parameters. RSV of knee joint was done using intra-articular injection of Lu tin colloid. Response was assessed at 3 months using various clinical parameter scores and blood pool bone scan as mentioned before and categorized as responders and nonresponders on the basis of change in percentage of cumulative scores.

RESULTS

Of the 29 joints, 21 were responders and eight were nonresponders at 3 months after RSV. There was a statistically significant reduction in clinical parameters cumulative scores at follow-up when compared with baseline (P<0.0001). Blood pool scintigraphy also showed decrease in blood pool activity compared with the baseline. There was statistically significant association between the responder group and absence of radiological abnormality.

CONCLUSION

Lu tin colloid synovectomy is a useful treatment modality in patients with chronic inflammatory knee joint conditions refractory to conventional treatment. Patients with shorter duration of disease and normal or minor radiographic findings are better candidates for RSV.