Effectiveness and safety of radionuclide synovectomy with Yttrium-90 hydroxyapatite in patients with inflammatory arthritis: a longitudinal study.

Background and objective: Yttrium-90 plays a significant role in managing drug-resistant inflammatory arthritis through radionuclide synovectomy, where the radioisotope is injected into the affected joint to alleviate pain and inflammation by targeting the synovial tissue. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Yttrium-90 hydroxyapatite radionuclide synovectomy in improving joint functionality, as judged by physicians, in patients with inflammatory arthritis who had not responded to conventional treatments.

Methods: Patients with inflammatory arthritis were recruited from the orthopedics department and referred to the nuclear medicine department for evaluation. A three-phase bone scan was conducted to identify eligible patients, who then received intra-articular injections of Yttrium-90 hydroxyapatite along with triamcinolone. After 48 h, patients underwent PET-CT imaging, followed by two follow-ups at 2 and 6 months to assess improvements in joint functionality and monitor for adverse reactions.

Results: Fifteen patients underwent radionuclide synovectomy. Significant improvements were observed between baseline and 2 months in joint restriction ( P  = 0.001), pain severity ( P  = 0.037), visual analog scale (VAS) ( P  = 0.004), and swelling ( P  = 0.002). At 6 months, further improvements were noted in joint restriction ( P  = 0.002), pain severity ( P  = 0.019), VAS ( P  = 0.013), and swelling ( P  = 0.023). However, no significant changes occurred between the 2- and 6-month follow-ups. One patient experienced radiation-induced skin necrosis, which resolved with conservative treatment, and another had self-limited skin rashes.

Conclusion: Yttrium-90 hydroxyapatite radionuclide synovectomy proved to be an effective and safe treatment for improving joint functionality in patients with drug-resistant inflammatory arthritis of the knee for up to 6 months.