Faculty Bibliography

Ferric hydroxide macroaggregates (FHMA) have been widely used as a carrier for several radionuclides used in radiation synovectomy. Different rates of extra-articular leakage of radioactivity have been observed with 90Y and 165Dy. In order to understand the mechanism(s) involved in the extra-articular leakage of radioactivity, the in vivo stability of FHMA carrier was studied. Following an injection of [59Fe]Fe-FHMA into the knees of normal rabbits, the cumulative leakage of [59Fe]Fe-FHMA was 2.9% at 5 days and 12.3% at 14 days. More than 60% of this activity was in the blood. But when FHMA was double labeled with 59Fe and 166Ho, the 59Fe leakage significantly increased to 18.5% at 5 days and 27% by 14 days. The instability of FHMA is accelerated when it is complexed with 166Ho and may be due to the 'mass effect' of 166Ho or due to radiolysis induced by high energy beta particles from 166Ho. These results suggest that FHMA is a suitable carrier only for the short lived radionuclides used in synovectomy

Revision of a glenoid component can be difficult in the presence of a humeral component. Removal of the humeral component is generally required, which adds significantly to the difficulty of the procedure and increases the risk of complications. This report describes revision of a loose glenoid component that was greatly facilitated by the presence of a modular humeral component

An unusual case of bilateral posterior fracture-dislocation of the hip (Pipkin Type IV) occurred in a 63-year-old man with Paget's disease of the pelvis. Other injuries included a displaced humeral shaft fracture and patellar ligament disruption. Bilateral cemented total hip arthroplasty was performed to avoid the need for prolonged immobilization. Postoperative low-dose irradiation was used because of the risk of heterotopic ossification

Dysprosium-165-ferric hydroxide macroaggregates (165Dy-FHMA) was used as an agent of radiation synovectomy in an antigen-induced arthritis model in New Zealand white rabbits. Animals were killed up to 6 months after treatment. 165Dy-FHMA was found to have a potent but temporary antiinflammatory effect on synovium for up to 3 months after treatment. Treated knees also showed significant preservation of articular cartilage architecture and proteoglycan content compared with untreated controls, but only during the first 3 months after treatment. In animals killed 3 and 6 months after treatment there were only minimal differences between the treated and untreated knees, indicating that the antiinflammatory effects on synovial tissue and articular cartilage preservation were not sustained

Infection following total knee arthroplasty can be one of the most challenging problems in orthopaedic surgery. This article discusses the pertinent clinical factors to be considered and the treatment options in the management of patients with infection following total knee replacement

Because of failure to fully respond to an initial intraarticular injection of dysprosium 165-ferric hydroxide macroaggregates, 17 patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis underwent repeat radiation synovectomy using this agent. Of the 13 patients who were evaluated 1 year later, 54% (7 knees) had good results, 31% (4 knees) had fair results, and 15% (2 knees) had poor results. The initial lack of significant benefit from radiation synovectomy did not appear to preclude a favorable response to a second injection

Benign solitary schwannomas of the foot are a rare occurrence; only four cases have been previously reported. A schwannoma associated with the medial plantar nerve present for more than 40 years before the onset of symptoms was diagnosed in a 73-year-old man. Excision of the mass, with preservation of the involved nerve, was possible and successfully relieved symptoms