Results of radiotherapy of Duplay's syndrome

The observed patient group comprised 185 persons who underwent treatment during 1970 and 1976. The sexual distribution within this group is normal. The age peak ranges between 50 and 60 years. In a late inquiry 31.9% of the patients can indicate the freedom from pain. 29.2% tell about a good, 18.4% about moderate success. In about one half of the treated persons roentgenologically visible calcareous deposits were detected. In both groups their treatment led to an equally good result. However, an accumulation of diseases with calcifications is found in patients who were younger than 50 years. In acute cases without previous treatment the achieved result was better than in those who had been treated already elsewhere. Acute cases respond considerably better to the treatment than the chronicaal ones. For the acute cases also a notably inferior recidivity rate was found. In 38% of all cases recidivation was observed. For the acute cases this rate is only 16%. Although investigations exist which do not hint at an autonomous course of this disease, a therapeutic treatment is not considered as superfluous. Considering the known risks due to ionizing irradiation, radiotherapy of periarticular fibrositis is recommended particularly for patients older than 40 years. (orig./MG)