Synovectomy using samarium-153 hydroxyapatite in the elbows and ankles of patients with haemophilic arthropathy

This study aimed to evaluate synovectomy with samarium-153 hydroxyapatite (¹⁵³Sm-HA) in synovitis of the elbows and ankles of haemophilic patients. The synovectomy was performed using 185 MBq of ¹⁵³Sm-HA in 166 joints of 82 haemophilic patients, with a mean age of 24.4 years and follow-up of 12 and 42 months, comprising 63 ankles and 84 elbows. Arthropathy was characterized by recurrent joint bleeding. Episodes of hemarthrosis, use of clotting factors, and pain intensity were evaluated before and after treatment. Scintigraphic controls and adverse effects were also considered. Statistical analyses used P ≤ 0,005 as significant. The results pointed that (a) reduction in hemarthrosis was 78% and 68% in elbows and 82% and 72% in ankles; (b) use of clotting factors was 80% and 70% in elbows and 85% and 75% in ankles; (c) pain was 37% and 34% in elbows and 61% and 57% in ankles, after 12 and 42 months, respectively. Three cases of mild reactive synovitis were observed in ankles and four in elbows. There was no joint effusion in any of the cases. In conclusion, the use of ¹⁵³Sm-HA in elbows and ankles was effective, very safe, minimally invasive and showed consistency over time, is another material to utilize in median haemophilic joints. (author)