Chromosomal analysis of peripheral lymphocytes of patients before and after radiation synovectomy with samarium-153 particulate hydroxyapatite.

OBJECTIVE: Radiation synovectomy may be indicated for the treatment of chronic synovitis. A number of factors may affect its current use, including availability, limited evidence for its efficacy compared to intra-articular glucocorticoid, and concerns regarding the potential long-term effects of radiation exposure, particularly in younger patients. Specific chromosome-type abnormalities in peripheral lymphocytes can be useful indicators of whole-body radiation exposure. The frequency of these aberrations has been shown to increase in patients who have had radiation synovectomy using yttrium-90 by up to five times compared to baseline levels. Samarium-153 particulate hydroxyapatite (Sm-153 PHYP) is a new radiopharmaceutical currently on trial which appears to have less extra-articular leakage than yttrium-90 compounds. The aim of this study was to identify any increase in specific chromosome-type abnormalities, using published criteria, in patients following Sm-153 PHYP synovectomy of the knee. The 10 patients (five men, five women) in whom the analyses were performed had a mean age of 47 yr (range 28-70 yr).

RESULTS: There was no increase in scored chromosome-type abnormalities after Sm-153 PHYP synovectomy.

CONCLUSION: This study further supports the relative safety of Sm-153 PHYP compared to other radiopharmaceuticals.