Evaluation on 153Sm-citrate-hydroxyapatite synovectomy in 57 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: Radiation synovectomy with 153S-citrate-hydroxyapatite (HA) was reported of promising effect. The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of the technique in treating rheumatoidarthritis (RA). Methods: Fifty-seven RA patients (103 knees) with thickened synovium underwent the treatment with intra-articular injection of 185 MBq (0.5-1 ml) 153Sm-citrate-HA. Based on the changes of clinical signs such as articular pain, edema, etc. after treatment, the therapeutic efficacy was graded along with X-ray grading. Results: Efficacy was observed 1 week after injection and persisted up to 6 months. The overall efficiency was 98.1%. There were 100% and 91.3% patients in X-ray grade I and II responding to the treatment respectively. Conclusion: Radiation synovectomy with intra-articular injection of 153Sm-citrate-HA in patients with RA could be a simple, safe and effective therapy. (authors)