J Rheum Dis.  2011 Sep;18(3):175-180. 10.4078/jrd.2011.18.3.175.

Synovial Biopsy Findings among Patients with Monoarthritis

• Ryu MS
• Lee MY
• Lee CW
• Park KT
• Kim EJ
• Seo YI
• Kim HA

• KMID: 2223146
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2011.18.3.175

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Any joint disorders can present as monoarthritis initially, which makes the range of differential diagnosis of monoarthritis extensive. Synovial biopsy may play a role in the diagnosis of monoarthritis. We reviewed the synovial biopsy findings of monoarthritis patients in order to assess its diagnostic value.
METHODS
Synovial pathologic findings of 39 patients who visited the rheumatology or orthopedic surgery clinic for acute or chronic monoarthritis from Feb., 2006 to Jul., 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULT: Four (10.3%) of 39 patients could be diagnosed with specific arthritis after synovial biopsy (rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, giant cell tumor, and osteochondroma, each).
CONCLUSION
The result showed that the synovial biopsy is useful for differential diagnosis of monoarthritis in a limited number of cases.

Keyword

Arthritis; Synovium; Pathology; Biopsy

MeSH Terms

Arthritis
Biopsy
Diagnosis, Differential
Giant Cell Tumors
Humans
Joints
Orthopedics
Osteochondroma
Rheumatology
Synovial Membrane

Figure

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  Figure 1. Multiple periarticular bone erosions and sclerosis with decreased joint space are noted in the elbow joint with effusion and periarticular soft tissue swelling. It was considerd in the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, and septic arthritis.

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  Figure 2. Whole body bone scan of the patient who diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. Intense increased bone uptake in right wirst and left elbow, suggesting severe arthritis or septic arthritis.

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  Figure 3. Tuberculous arthritis of the Rt. 5th PIP joint. Radiograph demonstrated soft tissue swelling of 5 th finger. And enchondroma was shown at second proximal phalanx.

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