Radiosynoviorthesis of acromioclavicular joint using 169Er-citrate: prospective evaluation of efficacy.

BACKGROUND: There is a clinical need for therapeutic alternative in patients with persisting painful arthritis of AC-joint and failure of previous treatments. However, no radiopharmaceutical is currently explicitly approved for radiosynoviorthesis of acromioclavicular joint. The aim of our study was to prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of radiosynoviorthesis of acromioclavicular joint using erbium-169 citrate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Radiosynoviorthesis of acromioclavicular joint was performed in 51 consecutive patients (18 males, 33 females) mean age 64.3 (range 43.8-82.6, median 63.6) years with clinically confirmed arthritis of 85 acromioclavicular joints. The efficacy of RSO was reported by patients according to 10-step visual analogue scale of pain (VAS) (0 = no pain, 10 = most severe pain) at 6 months after radiosynoviorthesis and by ranking the global therapeutic effect of RSO in 4 categories (1 = the best effect, 4 = no change). To assess the variation of blood perfusion in treated joints, the efficacy of RSO was also evaluated by variation of target (acromioclavicular joint)/non-target (soft tissue) uptake ratio (T/NTR) of metylendiphosphonate (99mTc) measured as number of counts over region of interest on blood pool phase of two-phase bone scintigraphy performed before and 6 months after RSO. RESULTS: Radiosynoviorthesis was followed by significant decrease in VAS, mean - 3.1 (-47%). Excellent, good, moderate and bad response was observed in 57 (67%), 25 (29%), 1 (1%) and in 2 (2%) of acromioclavicular joints respectively. A significant correlation between decrease of T/NTR and variation of VAS in % (ρ = 0.532, p < 0.0001) and between T/NTR and subjective evaluation of therapeutic effect in scale 1-4 (ρ = 0.388, p = 0.0002) was observed. However, it was not possible to identify the cut-off value of relative decrease in T/NTR showing sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect the therapeutic response. CONCLUSION: Results of this prospective study permit to conclude a good efficacy and safety of radiosynoviorthesis using erbium-169 citrate in a series of patients with arthritis of acromioclavicular joint in whom previous line(s) of treatment did not lead to satisfactory pain relief.

[Radiotherapy for shoulder impingement]. / Bestrahlung beim Impingementsyndrom des Schultergelenks.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Up to now, degenerative shoulder diseases were summarized by the term "periarthritis humeroscapularis". Actual shoulder diseases can be differentiated etiopathologically according to a primary and secondary impingement syndrome. Narrowing of the subacromial space, which is caused by an osseous shape variant, leads to primary impingement. Secondary impingement develops, when the subacromial space is reduced by swelling tissue below the osseous shoulder roof. This study aimed for the exact diagnosis to indicate therapy and to classify the results according to the Constant score. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August 1999 to September 2002, 102 patients with 115 shoulder joint conditions underwent radiation therapy (RT). All joints received two RT series (6 x 0.5 Gy/series) applied in two to three weekly fractions, totaling a dosage of 6.0 Gy (250 kV, 15 mAs, 1-mm Cu filter). The second RT course started 6 weeks after the end of the first. 115 shoulders were examined before RT, 6 weeks after the second RT course and, finally, during the follow-up from January to May 2003. RESULTS: Pain relief was achieved in 94/115 shoulder joints (82%) after 18-month follow-up (median). A significant difference existed between secondary impingement and primary/non-impingement according to response. Tendinosis calcarea, bursitis subdeltoidea, tendovaginitis of the long biceps tendon, and capsulitis adhaesiva responded well to therapy. CONCLUSION: Shoulder diseases of secondary impingement demonstrate a good response to RT. Less or no benefit was found in primary impingement syndrome or complete rotator cuff disruption and acute shoulder injuries, respectively.