Review ArticleHaemophilic synovitis of the elbow: Radiosynovectomy, open synovectomy or arthroscopic synovectomy?

Arthroscopic synovectomy (AS) of the elbow, while providing similar pain relief to open synovectomy (OS), may place patients at higher risk for recurrence. The primary predictor of outcome is degree of pre-existing degenerative changes within the joint. Regarding haemophilia patients, radiosynovectomy (RS) is the best choice for patients with persistent synovitis of the elbow. In the elbow we recommend a dose of 30-40 megabecquerels (mBq) in children and a dose of 56-74 mBq in adults. If three consecutive RSs with 6 months intervals are ineffective, an AS or OS must be indicated. Synovectomy (by any method) significantly reduces bleeding episodes. Although the dose of radiation of RS is minimal, 0.32 millisieverts (mSv) in children, 0.54 mSv in adults, and neither articular nor systemic neoplastic changes related to RS have been reported so far, all patients must be given opportunity to consider risk/benefit ratios. Radiation dose due to natural sources is 2 mSv per year and the recommended limit for patients (apart from natural sources is 1 mSv per year). My current recommendation is to use RS in children older than 12 years of age. Therefore, in children younger than 12 years of age an AS should be indicated. OS should be reserved for adults requiring radial head excision (due to a severe limitation of pronation-supination) and synovectomy in the same surgical session.