Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with radionuclide combination.

Radiation synovectomy (RSIN) with radionuclide combination (N) was performed in 135 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or 417 joints: 155 knee joints (90Y), 230 MCF or PIF joints (169Er), 17 ankle, 7 wrist, 6 elbow and 2 shoulder joints (186Re). Therapeutic effect was followed up during 8 year period. After 3 years positive effect of the treatment was achieved in 70-80% of cases and complete treatment in 50-60% of cases, while 8 years later the same effects were maintained in 55-60%, i.e. 35-40% of the treated joints. The best effect was achieved in the treatment of the knee and the worst in the treatment of the wrist joint. At simultaneous application of one or several different RN, the total dose for one patient did not exceed 259 MBq while the maximum dose was 695 MBq during the long-term treatment.