Arthroscopic synovectomy of rheumatoid shoulder and elbow

Surgical Principles Radical arthroscopic synovectomy of rheumatoid shoulder and elbow. Revised Version from: Operat. Orthop. Traumatol. 4 (1992), 112–129 (German Edition).     

色素绒毛结节性滑膜炎28例报道

目的探讨色素绒毛结节性滑膜炎(PVS)的临床病理特点、治疗和预后的关系。方法本组PVS28例,男13例,女15例,年龄12～53岁。膝关节15例,手指7例,足背4例,颞颌及骶髂关节各1例,多肢体1例。局限型19例,弥漫型9例。伴外伤史3例,骨破坏4例,恶变2例,半月板破裂1例,滑膜血管瘤1例。均行滑膜切除,早期操练,3例加放疗。28例均经病理证实。结果22例随访2～18年,13例功能良好;9例复发5例功能欠佳,2例截指(趾),2例死亡。放疗3例均复发。结论PVS临床病理均有肿瘤的特征,可恶变和转移,易复发,最佳治疗是彻底的滑膜切除而不是放疗。     

The continuing important role of radionuclide generator systems for nuclear medicine

In this review, the continuing importance and status of development of radionuclide generator systems for nuclear medicine are discussed. Radioisotope costs and availability are two important factors, and both nuclear reactors and accelerator facilities are required for production of the parent radioisotopes. Radionuclide generator research is currently focused on the development of generators which provide radioisotopes for positron emission tomography (PET) applications and daughter radioisotopes for various therapeutic applications which decay primarily by particle emission. Generator research continues to be influenced by developments and requirements of complementary technologies, such as the increasing availability of PET. In addition, the availability of a wide spectrum of tumor-specific antibodies, fragments, and peptides for radio-immunodiagnosis and radioimmunotherapy has stimulated the need for generator-derived radioisotopes. The advantages of treatment of arthritis of the synovial joints with radioactive particles (radiation synovectomy) may be expected to be of increasing importance as the elderly population increases, and many of these agents are prepared using generator-derived radioisotopes such as yttrium-90 and rhenium-188. Therapeutic use of the in vivo generator is a new approach, where the less radio-toxic parent radioisotope is used to prepare tissue-speciic therapeutic agents. Following in vivo site localization, decay of the parent provides the daughter for therapy at the target site. The principal foundation of most diagnostic agents will continue to require technetium-99m from the molybdenum-99/technetium-99m (Moly) generator. With the limited availability of nuclear reactors and facilities necessary for production and processing of fission ^99mTc and the significant issues and problems associated with radioactive waste processing, however, the possibility of utilizing lower specific activity ⁹⁹Mo produced from neutron activation of enriched ⁹⁸Mo may become practical in the future. Correspondence to: RE Knapp, Jr.     

Bone change after surgical treatment of mucous cyst at the interphalangeal joint of the great toe in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Digital mucous cysts are a type of benign cysts of the digits, typically located at the distal interphalangeal joints or in the proximal nail fold, which usually occur on the hands. The diagnosis of digital mucous cysts is relatively easy because of its light-transmitting property, but the treatment is often difficult because of complications including recurrence, infection, diminished range of motion, and nail deformity. We report a case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showing good course after surgical treatment of mucous cyst at the interphalangeal joint of the great toe. In a case of RA, combination of synovectomy with surgical treatment of mucous cyst might be effective.     

Experimental photodynamic laser therapy for rheumatoid arthritis with a second generation photosensitizer

Photodynamic laser therapy has been shown to be a new method for the treatment of synovitis in various animal models. Its principle is the accumulation of a photosensitizing drug in the inflamed synovium which is destroyed by photoactivation of the drug. In the present animal study we demonstrate the effect of a second-generation photosensitizer and suggest a concept for light dosimetry within the joint. We used 38 inbred rabbits for the IgG-induced arthritis model; ¶2 mg/kg of the benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring-A (BPD-MA) Verteporfin were administered 3 h before irradiation, which was performed using a 690-nm diode laser coupled to quartz glass fiber with a cylinder diffusor tip at a total light energy of either 180 or 470 J. During irradiation specific fluorescence of BPD-MA was monitored using a spectroscopy unit. The effect of the photodynamic laser therapy was documented grossly and histologically after 1 week. Within the 470 J-group a complete necrosis of the inflamed synovium was observed. The bradytrophic structures of the joint, however, remained unchanged. Throughout the 180 J-group the extent of necrosis was minor. During irradiation the tissue fluorescence of BPD-MA showed a dose-dependent decrease. Using BPD-MA as a photosensitizer a highly selective and minimal invasive synoviorthesis can be performed. At a dose of 2 mg/kg the histological effect depends on the light dose. For optimum efficacy a total energy of 470 J seems favorable. Online fluorescence detection can be used to monitor the effect of light administration. For dosimetry therefore an online tissue fluorescence detection may represent a technical solution.     

External beam radiotherapy as postoperative treatment of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis

PURPOSE: Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare proliferative disorder of synovial membranes with invasive and expansive growth patterns. Radical synovectomy is regarded as the treatment of choice. However, because of the high recurrence rates, additive treatment might be useful. Radiotherapy (RT) has been evaluated with positive results, but the optimal treatment schedules are vague. We have reviewed our experience with postoperative RT in cases of suspected or proven residual disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between December 1996 and January 2006, 7 diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis patients underwent RT at our institution. The most common location was the knee joint (5 patients). All patients underwent radical surgery and were treated subsequently with 6-MV photon RT. The total doses applied were 30-50 Gy, depending on the resection status and estimated risk of relapse. For analysis, we retrospectively reviewed all patients in April 2006. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 29 months (range, 3-112 months). RT had no acute adverse effects. At the assessment, no evidence was found of recurrent or persisting disease in any patient. Of the 7 patients, 6 reported asymptomatic limb function and excellent quality of life; 1 patient had persistent restriction of joint movement after repeated surgery. No radiotherapeutic late effects were seen. CONCLUSION: The results of our series have confirmed the efficacy and safety of postoperative RT for diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis. Hence, this treatment should be considered for patients with suspected or proven residual disease.     

Correlative histologic and arthroscopic evaluation in rheumatoid knee joints

Summary The correlation between arthroscopic observations and histologic changes in rheumatoid arthritis is still controversial. Synovial samples of 21 knee joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients were comparatively investigated by endoscopy and histology. Biopsies were scored by an endoscopist and subsequently dissected. Different histochemical and immunocytochemical staining techniques were used to define inflammatory activity. Arthroscopic and histological values were compared by rating scales and variance analysis. Our study indicates that synovial biopsy is of diagnostic value in rheumatoid arthritis. However, its usefulness depends on the histochemical methods used. The results revealed highly significant correlations of endoscopic features with the number of neutrophilic granulocytes, intravascular leukocytes, and peroxidase-positive macrophages. However, no relationship was found between the detection of lymphocytes or resident macrophages and inflammatory scores. The close correlation between endoscopic and histological findings suggests that arthroscopic evaluation allows a valuable classification of the inflammatory activity in rheumatoid synovitis. Presented in part at the Congress of the Société Médicale Internationale d'Endoscopie et de Radiologie (S.M.I.E.R.), Mannheim, November 27–30, 1991     

ALA-induced porphyrin formation and fluorescence in synovitis tissue: In-vitro and in vivo studies

The synovial inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is accompanied by massive tumor-like proliferation and activation of the connective stroma. These abnormal cells actively invade and destroy the peri-articular bone and cartilage at the margins of joints where synovium and bone are attached. There is still a lack of minimally invasive synovectomy methods, which might be suitable for the smaller joints. Unfortunately, these joints are usually involved in the disease. Photodynamic therapy has been evaluated as a possible treatment modality for RA synovitis. The present study describes the differences of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and 5-ALA ester-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) production in cell cultures obtained from patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA) and human sarcoma cell line (HS 192.T) and in a collagen-induced arthritis model in rats. The incubation of cells with hexyl aminolevulinate (HAL) induced the same amount of fluorescence as 5-ALA and methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) at about a 100-fold lower concentration. Incubation with HAL-induced accumulation of at least twice as much porphyrins in RA- and HS 192.T-cells than 5-ALA and MAL in OA-cells. Similar levels of porphyrins were accumulated in RA and the malignant cells. In vivo, intra-articular application of 5-ALA induced a significant porphyrin accumulation in synovitis tissue as measured by in situ fluorescence spectroscopy. In contrast to our in vitro results and other reports, we could not detect enhanced fluorescence after application of up to 0.1 mg HAL.     

七分区法关节镜下滑膜全切术治疗类风湿性肘关节炎的中期随访结果

目的评价七分区法关节镜下滑膜全切术治疗类风湿性肘关节炎的疗效。方法 2002～2008年,行关节镜下滑膜切除肘关节清理术治疗类风湿性肘关节炎11例,共13个肘关节,4例左侧,5例右侧,2例双侧。平均病程60个月(5～120个月)。手术通过近端前内及前外入路、软点入路和后外入路,使用关节镜进行滑膜全切。在关节镜下,将肘关节分为内侧区、外侧区、桡骨头前下区、鹰嘴窝、后外区、桡骨头后下区和后内侧区,共七区,逐区切除滑膜。术前术后进行Mayo评分及HSS评分。结果随访时间12～72个月,平均34.6月。术后7个月复发1例,再次行手术治疗。其余10例12个肘关节屈肘角度由102.1°±15.9°增加至123.3°±21.4°(t=-3.275,P=0.007),伸肘角度由33.8°±21.4°改善至20.0°±17.8°(t=3.572,P=0.004)。HSS评分由48.8±18.1分改善为87.9±15.9分(t=-8.125,P=0.000)。Mayo评分由39.6±16.6分改善为92.9±13.9分(t=-9.918,P=0.000)。结论关节镜下滑膜全切术是治疗类风湿性肘关节炎的有效手段之一,多入路七分区法切除肘关节类风湿性滑膜对于提高疗效、降低复发率有一定意义,可有效缓解疼痛,增加肘关节活动度,术后Mayo评分及HSS评分均有显著提高。     

Clinical and radiological manifestations of the rheumatoid wrist after the Sauvé–Kapandji procedure

A retrospective study was performed to investigate the clinical and radiological results of the Sauvé–Kapandji (S–K) procedure for the rheumatoid wrist. One hundred and eight rheumatoid wrists in 98 patients were operated on in our institute from 1992 to 2000, and in 82 wrists we used the S–K procedure. In other cases, synovectomy alone was performed on 16 wrists, and partial and total arthrodeses were performed concurrently on 5 wrists each. Carpal bones and/or radiocarpal joints in which the union could not be assessed radiologically were found in 49 wrists (59.8%) after the S–K procedure, and among them there was definite nonfusion of the carpal bone and radiocarpal joints in 29 wrists (35.4%). However, definite fusion of carpal bones and/or radiocarpal joints was found in 33 wrists (40.2%). The formation of carpal bones and partial radiocarpal fusion with some mobility was detected in some cases. Therefore, the S–K procedure may stabilize the carpus in the rheumatoid wrist to some extent while maintaining a functionally important range of motion and relieving pain. However, it does not stop the disease process and cannot reestablish or maintain carpal height. We concluded that the S–K procedure is the treatment of choice for the rheumatoid wrist, and if the wrist is unstable, as seen with arthritis mutilans, we then perform either radiolunate partial arthrodesis or total wrist arthrodesis.