TY - JOUR T1 - The intra-articular distribution of <sup>90</sup>yttrium does not influence the clinical outcome of radiation synovectomy of the knee JF - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO - Ann Rheum Dis SP - 1110 LP - 1112 DO - 10.1136/ard.2005.047373 VL - 66 IS - 8 AU - Z N Jahangier AU - F M van der Zant AU - J W G Jacobs AU - H G Riedstra AU - G M M Gommans AU - J F Verzijlbergen AU - J W J Bijlsma AU - J W van Isselt Y1 - 2007/08/01 UR - http://ard.bmj.com/content/66/8/1110.abstract N2 - Objectives: To assess the impact of the intra-articular distribution of 90yttrium-citrate (90Y) on the clinical effect of radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) of the knee and on 90Y leakage from this joint. Methods: Patients with arthritis of the knee received 185 MBq 90Y combined with a glucocorticoid, followed by clinical bed rest. Intra-articular 90Y distribution, measured with a dual-head gamma camera immediately or after 24 hours, was scored as mainly diffuse or mainly focal. Leakage to regional lymph nodes, the liver and spleen was assessed with a dual-head gamma camera after 24 hours. Clinical effect was scored after 6 months by a composite change index (CCI), range 0–12; responders were defined as having a CCI ⩾6. Results: Seventy-eight knees of 69 patients, mostly suffering from undifferentiated arthritis (42%) or RA (28%), were treated. 90Y distribution was mainly diffuse in 54% and mainly focal in 46% with clinical response rates of 40% versus 56%, respectively, p = 0.3. CCI was not correlated with distribution. 90Y leakage was found only to the liver and the spleen (mean leakage 0.4% and 1.1%, respectively). Leakage was significantly less in case of diffuse intra-articular 90Y distribution, whereas leakage to the liver was correlated with distribution (r = 0.68, p&lt;0.001). 90Y leakage was not correlated with CCI. Conclusions: Intra-articular 90Y distribution does not influence the clinical effect of RSO of the knee. Although 90Y leakage from the joint is less if 90Y distributes diffusely in the joint cavity, leakage does not seem to hamper the clinical effect. ER -