RADIONUCLIDE SYNOVIORTHESIS

Radiation synovectomy has been shown to be an effective method for the treatment of rheumatoid synovitis of the knee and other joints. It in volves an intraarticular injection of beta-emitting radionuclides. Hig h percentages of the patients treated have reported improvement, the r esults are quite comparable to those after surgical synovectomy. The t herapeutic indications, physical characteristics and biodistribution o f the different radiopharmaceuticals used are presented. The article f ocuses on a number of products which are currently commercially availa ble and which are commonly used in medical practice. It bases on the l atest publication of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Radi onuclide Therapy Task Group in 1993.