Rhenium-188 radiosynovectomy for chronic haemophilic synovitis: Evaluation of its safety and efficacy in haemophilic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Radiocolloids labelled with less costly and more accessible radionuclides such as rhenium-188 are of interest to developing countries compared with those labelled with rhenium-186 and yttrium-90. AIM: This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiosynovectomy using rhenium-188 in patients with chronic haemophilic synovitis and recurrent hemarthrosis. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental prospective study, 20 haemophilic patients were evaluated at preinjection, and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after injection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done to measure synovial thickness and to calculate Denver score. Joint radiographs were taken to measure the Pettersson score. The Gilbert questionnaire, Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were completed, and the number of bleeding episodes and factor consumption were recorded at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: The number of bleeding episodes, the amount of factor consumption per month, VAS pain scores and synovial thickness decreased significantly over time (P < .05). Gilbert and FISH scores showed significant improvement (P < .001). However, Pettersson score and Denver score showed no significant changes after injection. Minor complications including temporary pain and swelling occurred in 20% of patients, and no major complication was observed after rhenium-188 injection. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated high clinical impact, efficacy, safety and low invasion of rhenium-188 in radiosynovectomy of haemophilic patients. Considering the availability and relatively low cost of rhenium-188 in developing countries, this can be a good treatment option for haemophilic patients with recurrent hemarthrosis, particularly when the synovial hypertrophy is not massive yet.

Vicious cycle of multiple invasive treatments in a hemophilic inhibitor positive child with resistant knee flexion contracture, a case report.

Uncontrolled recurrent hemarthrosis can end to contracture, deformity, pain, joint destruction and gait disorders which are disabling. We are going to report a challenge, a unilateral knee flexion contracture in a child with severe hemophilia A and inhibitor who underwent different treatment options with unsatisfactory improvement of knee range of motion. Mismanaging postoperatively, patient and parents irresponsibility in managing self-care, lack of access and affordability to treatment and unavailability of proper treatment can be the reasons of recurrence in addition to the tough nature of a patient with inhibitor.