[Synoviorthesis of finger joints using erbium-169. Parameters influencing the clinical results at middle-term]

Synoviorthesis of the finger joint with erbium-169 is a beneficial therapeutic procedure which produces reduction of articular pain and swelling in 2/3 of cases. The effect is lasting and shows only slight regression during the first 24 months. However, if the rheumatoid disease is very active, or if the articular lesions are primarily erosive, the results are poorer. No correlation was found between therapeutic results and the radiological findings prior to 169E treatment. Erbium-169 reduces inflammation and leads to progressive articular fibrosis. Any chronic synovitis of interdigital joints resistant to appropriate conventional anti-inflammatory treatment may benefit from radio-synoviorthesis with erbium-169. Erbium-169 synoviorthesis is is technically easy to perform and free of side effects. It is a palliative measure which the authors consider a valuable complement to the classical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.