Retention of 90Y in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The use of radioactive compounds for the treatment of patients with chronic rheumatoid effusion has been proceeding in the Charing Cross Hospital Group since 1968. Initially, a colloidal suspension of radioactive gold (198Au) stabilized with gelatin and glucose was used, and the results in a group of patients whose knees were treated in this way have been published (Grahame, Ramsey, and Scott, 1970). Subsequently, substances incorporating 90Y in place of 198Au were used because of the greater penetration of the fl-radiation and the absence of a y ray component with its incidental irradiation of the gonads. This paper gives the results of observations that have been made of the retention of 90Y compounds used for treating knee effusions. Nine patients were treated, two with a resin colloid preparation, and seven with colloidal yttrium silicate. The patients treated with the resin colloid suspension complained of pain in the knee joint. Furthermore, it was discovered that the resin colloid preparation was, to some extent, unstable, and the use of this compound was discontinued. Thereafter, treatments were given with colloidal yttrium silicate, and none of the patients complained of discomfort as a result of the injection.