Therapy Response of the Yttrium-90 (Y-90) Colloid and Rhenium-186 (Re-186) Sulphur Colloid Radiosynovectomy in Hemophilic Arthropathy

Introduction Radiosynovectomy (also known as radiosynoviorthesis) is a local form of radiotherapy that is used in chronic hemophilic synovitis in the absence of radiological evidence of extensive joint damage and in patients that have failed conservative therapy with clotting factor replacement and physiotherapy. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of the Yttrium-90 (Y-90) colloid and Rhenium-186 (Re-186) sulphur colloid radiosynovectomy in hemophilic arthropathy in terms of bleeding frequency, pain score, range of motion and performance score. Methodology This was a prospective cohort trial. A total of 68 hemophilic arthropathy patients who had been treated with radiosynovectomy for knee, ankle, elbow and hip joint were included in this study. Patients were followed up to assess their bleeding frequency, pain score, range of motion of the affected joint and Karnofsky or Lansky performance scale at pre and 6 months post therapy. Result A marked decrease (80–100%) in bleeding frequency was seen in 66.2% of patients, 14.7% of patients had moderate decrease (51–79%) and mild decrease (30–50%) was seen in 14.7% of patients. The frequency of intraarticular bleeding and pain score were significantly reduced at 6 months follow up (p<0.005). The Karnofsky and Lansky performance scales were also improved at 6 months follow up (p<0.005). There was no significant difference between percentage of range of motion measured before and after the therapy (p>0.005). Conclusion Radiosynovectomy is a safe and effective procedure in limiting bleeding frequency, reducing pain and increasing performance scale.