Application of radioisotope synovectomy in the anklejoint in a child with congenital factor VII deficiency
Application of radioisotope synovectomy in the anklejoint in a child with congenital factor VII deficiency
Congenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder inherited autosomal recessively (1, 2). It is the most common congenital rare factor deficiency in the world. The clinical picture is variable; it may be asymptomatic or may lead to critical bleeding (3). There is a weak correlation between FVII activity and clinical findings (1, 4). Mucocutaneous bleeding is observed predominantly. Bleeding such as hematoma and hemarthrosis occur rarely compared to patients with haemophilia (1, 3, 4). The clinical picture and follow-up of patients who present with hemarthrosis is similiar to patients with haemophilia. Development of a target joint and subsequent chronic synovitis and arthropathy may be observed. Use of radioisotope synovectomy (RS), which is known to have successful outcomes in patients with haemophilia with secondary prophylaxis and surgical interventions, is limited in patients with FVII deficiency. Here, we share our experience of radioisotope synovectomy in the ankle joint in a patient with congenital FVII deficiency who developed a target joint and chronic synovitis.A 4-year-old female patient presented to our hospital’s pediatric outpatient clinic with symptoms of intermittent swelling and pain in her joints. She had been followed up in different hospitals with a prediagnosis of rheumatic disease. She had no family history of consanguineous marriage. On physical examination, she had edema, erythema, and pain in the right ankle. Laboratory tests revealed a prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and normal activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). FVII activity was 0.1%. For treatment, 4 doses of rFVIIa were used with 4–6-hour intervals at a dose of 20 mcg/kg. After the patient was discharged, gingival bleeding and haemorrhage in her joints, especially her right ankle, and to a lesser extent, her left knee and left ankle, were observed on follow-up. In the treatment of the bleeding episodes, rFVIIa was used at a dose of 20 mcg/kg at 4–6-hour intervals. Factor concentrates were administered via peripheral veins. We obtained a good response to the bleeding episodes. Secondary prophylaxis with rFVIIa was initiated due to approximately 1–2 bleedings/month in her right ankle and target joint in the preceding 6 months. The patient was evaluated at the multidisciplinary haemophilia council. Right ankle magnetic resonance imaging revealed grade II synovitis and effusion, and it was decided to perform radioisotope synovectomy because a target joint was present. Radioisotope synovectomy was performed in the patient’s right ankle by the orthopedist and nuclear medicine specialist using fluoroscopy under anaesthesia and hygienic conditions with sterile materials. Two millilitres Re-186-sulphur colloid was used at a dose of 74 MBq (2 mCi) for radioisotope synovectomy. Following radionuclide injection, a small volume of 0.9% saline solution was administered into the joint space for cleaning before removing the needle. Just after the procedure, immobilisation of the joint for 72 hours was recommended. Post-distribution scintigraphy was performed to check if there was radionuclide leakage outside the joint. rFVIIa replacement at a dose of 20 µg/kg was performed as one dose before the procedure, followed by six doses at 4-hour intervals on the first day after the procedure, four doses at 6-hour intervals on the second day, and as two doses at 12-hour intervals on the third and fourth days. Subsequently, rFVIIa prophylaxis was continued every day in the first week, and three days per week in subsequent weeks. During the 1-year follow-up period after radioisotope synovectomy, no bleeding in the ankle was observed. No allergic and thrombotic adverse effects were found. The patient is still followed up with rFVIIa prophylaxis.
___
- 1. Mariani G, Herrmann FH, Dolce A, et al. Clinical phenotypes and factor VII genotype in congenital factor VII deficiency. Thromb Haemost 2005; 93: 481–7.
- 2. Perry DJ. Factor VII Deficiency. Br J Haematol 2002; 118: 689–700.
- 3. Palla R, Peyvandi F, Shapiro AD. Rare bleeding disorders: diagnosis and treatment. Blood 2015; 125: 2052–61.
- 4. Peyvandi F, Palla R, Menegatti M, et al. Coagulation factor activity and clinical bleeding severity in rare bleeding disorders: results from the European Network of Rare Bleeding Disorders. J Thromb Haemost 2012; 10: 615–21.
- 5. World Federation of Hemophilia. The World Federation of Hemophilia is Proud to be Celebrating 20 Years of the Annual Global Survey. Available from: http://www1.wfh. org/publications/files/pdf-1731.pdf
- 6. Turkmen C, Kilicoglu O, Dikici F, et al. Survival analysis of Y-90 radiosynovectomy in the treatment of haemophilic synovitis of the knee: a 10-year retrospective review. Haemophilia 2014; 20: e45–50.
- 7. Zulfikar B, Turkmen C, Kilicoglu O, et al. Long-term outcomes in haemophilic synovitis after radiosynovectomy using rhenium-186: a single-centre experience. Haemophilia 2013; 19: 275–80.
- 8. Şenol BK, Zülfikar B. Clinical problems and surgical interventions in inherited factor VII deficiency. Turk Pediatri Ars 2020; 55: 184–90.