Failed radiation synovectomy in diseased knee joint with missed tuberculous synovitis

Abstract

The authors in this case report highlight the poor outcome of radiation synovectomy (RSV) for repeated knee joint effusion in a patient with histopathologically proven nonspecific arthritis. There was partial response initially following RSV but later follow-up showed recurrence in joint effusion with limited and painful mobility of the knee joint. Subsequent surgical synovectomy and histopathological examination showed it to be tubercular in origin. Thus in a country endemic for tuberculosis, an alternative infective etiology should also be kept in mind before subjecting the patient to RSV.

Keywords

• radiation synovectomy
• rhenium-188 (re-188) tin colloid
• tuberculous synovitis