Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Technique of synovial biopsy of metacarpophalangeal joints using the needle arthroscope

  • Arthroscopy
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

We demonstrate the technique, advantages, and disadvantages of metacarpophalangeal joint examination with needle arthroscope. We evaluated our experience from biopsies of 10 metacarpophalangeal joints of eight rheumatoid women aged 41–45 years. The procedures were performed using a 1-mm needle arthroscope. The synovium biopsy was taken with a microforceps. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia. The tight tension of the joint and traction of the finger is necessary for good visualization, but despite this visibility can be difficult. Needle biopsy is a useful method for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Baeten D, Van den Bosch F, Elewaut D, Stuer A, Veys EM, De-Keyser-F (1999) Needle arthroscopy of the knee with synovial biopsy sampling: technical experience in 150 patients. Clin Rheumatol 18:434–441

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bresnihan B, Tak PP (1999) Synovial tissue analysis in rheumatoid arthritis. Bailliére's Clin Rheumatol 13:645–659

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bruhlmann P (1996) Needle arthroscopy in rheumatologiits role in diagnosis and therapy. Ther Umsch 53:713–715

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Cunnane G, FitzGerald O, Hummel KM, Gay RE, Gay S, Bresnihan B (1999) Collagenase, cathepsin B and cathepsin L gene expression in the synovial membrane of patients with early inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxf) 38:34–42

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gerber T, Bruhlmann P, Altwegg M (1996) Acute gonarthritis-application of current diagnostic study methods exemplified by a case report. Ther Umsch 53:724–726

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Gotis Graham I, Smith MD, Parker A, McNeil HP (1998) Synovial mast cell responses during clinical improvement in early rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 57:664–671

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Ike RW (1993) The role of arthroscopy in the differential diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 19:673–696

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ike RW, O'Rourke KS (1993) Detection of intraarticular abnormalities in osteoarthritis of the knee. A pilot study comparing needle arthroscopy with standard arthroscopy. Arthritis Rheum 36:1353–1363

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ike RW, O'Rourke KS (1995) Compartment directed physical examination of the knee can predict articular cartilage abnormalities disclosed by needle arthroscopy. Arthritis Rheum 38:917–925

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. O'Rourke KS, Ike RW (1994) Diagnostic arthroscopy in the arthritis patient. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 20:321–342

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Ostendorf B, Dann P, Wedekind F, Brauckmann U, Freimann J, Koebke J, Schulitz KP, Schneider M (1999) Miniarthroscopy of MP joints in rheumatoid arthritis. Rating of diagnostic value in synovitis staging and efficiency of synovial biopsy. J Rheumatol 26:1901–1908

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Panchal P, Barr WG (1996) Needle arthroscopy: a new frontier in rheumatology. Compr Ther 22:44–47

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Reece R, Emery P (1995) Needle arthroscopy. Br J Rheumatol 34:1102–1104

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Smeets TJ, Kraan MC, Versendaal J, Breedveld FC, Tak PP (1999) Analysis of serial synovial biopsies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: description of a control group without clinical improvement after treatment with interleukin 10 or placebo. J Rheumatol 26:2089–2093

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Smeets TJ, Dayer JM, Kraan MC, Versendaal J, Chicheportiche R, Breedveld FC, Tak PP (2000) The effects of interferon-beta treatment of synovial inflammation and expression of metalloproteinases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 43:270–274

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Szekanecz Z, Szegedi G, Koch AE (1996) Cellular adhesion molecules in rheumatoid arthritis. Regulation by cytokines and possible clinical importance. J Investig Med 44:124–135

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Szekanecz Z, Szegedi G, Koch AE (1998) Angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis: pathogenic and clinical significance. J Investig Med 46:27–41

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Yanni G, Whelan A, Feighery C, Bresnihan B (1994) Synovial tissue macrophages and joint erosion in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 53:39–44

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Medical Health and Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, 4012, Debrecen, Hungary

    Levente Gáspár, Zoltán Csernátony & Kálmán Szepesi

  2. Third Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Health and Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, 4012, Debrecen, Hungary

    Zoltán Szekanecz & Gyula Szegedi

  3. Department of Pathology, Medical Health and Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, 4012, Debrecen, Hungary

    Balázs Dezső

Authors
  1. Levente Gáspár
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zoltán Szekanecz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Balázs Dezső
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gyula Szegedi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zoltán Csernátony
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kálmán Szepesi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Levente Gáspár.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gáspár, L., Szekanecz, Z., Dezső, B. et al. Technique of synovial biopsy of metacarpophalangeal joints using the needle arthroscope. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 11, 50–52 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-002-0329-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-002-0329-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation