Method

Nuclear medicine has existed for many decades. It is an important component of diagnostics and therapy. 

The principle is always the same: we know certain metabolic pathways within and between the organs. Low level radiating substances (radiopharmaceuticals) are connected to substances that „go“ this way. A gamma camera detects these substances and a computer converts the information into images. At the same time, the temporal change and spatial distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in a certain area or in the whole body are recorded: that is how a scintigraphy is made. In this way, an abnormal metabolic process can be regionally allocated.

We use modern gamma cameras for nuclear medical examinations. They help to answer all questions posed to nuclear medical diagnostics. Gamma cameras can electronically register the temporal and spatial distribution of the gamma radiation emitted from the patient and send them to a data processing system. This system can process the data appearing in very large quantities within a very short period of time, visualize it and save it. In addition to this, SPECT images (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography – nuclear medical sliced images) of a very high quality can be developed.

Methode

Radiosynoviorthese means restoration (orthesis) of the joint mucosa (synovialis) with the help of radioactive isotopes. It is a very effective method, applied in the case of painful inflammatory changes in the joints. This method has existed for two decades. A radioactive substance is injected into a diseased joint. After the injection into the joint, it distributes itself homogenously in the joint fluid. The substance is absorbed by the surface cells of the diseased joint mucosa and produces an anti-inflammatory effect. Gradually, a sloughing of the mucous surface occurs, and the mucosa swelling decreases. The finest canals from which the fluid can penetrate into the joint are closed, and the finest pain sensors are turned off. This way the pain is decreased or eliminated, and the function of the joint is improved. The effect occurs gradually, sometimes after several days, in some cases after weeks or months. The final treatment effect can be evaluated after about 6 months. 

Advantages of Radiosynoviorthese:

The actual therapy is a small intervention which can be carried out on an outpatient basis, though it has been possible only for the past few years. Rehabilitation, the way it was necessary after a traditional surgery, is no longer needed. The therapy can also be carried out on patients with an increased surgical risk. Many joints can be treated simultaneously or at short intervals. If the effect is low, e.g. if the pathological changes of joints have already advanced a lot, the therapy can be repeated. Normally it is enough to carry out one treatment on a joint.

Areas of use

The focus is on chronic polyarthritis (inflammatory rheumatism of the joints). This method is used, among other things, to treat psoriatic arthritis, active arthrosis – of the knees, for example (osteoarthritis) and for so-called irritable knee and active finger polyarthrosis.

Rheumatic complaints can also be treated using RSO. Rheumatism is an illness which affects the entire body, but its cause is largely unknown. It is an autoimmune disease – this means that the body reacts aggressively with inflammation towards parts of the person’s own body, because it recognises these wrongly as being foreign substances. This inner battle leads in particular to damage in the joints, and within them to inflammation of the joint mucous membranes (synovialitis). The joint mucous membrane often proliferates like coral, destroys the cartilage and forces its way into the bones, where it can tear ligaments and tendons, and damage or destroy joints at different speeds. In addition to treatment with medicine, joint operations are often necessary too. If one or a few joints are particularly affected, it is recommended to use radiosynoviorthese as early as possible as a low-intensity radiation therapy to prevent inflammation – if possible, before serious damage is caused to the joints.