Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-2-1
pubmed:abstractText
Needle arthroscopy is an office-based technique allowing direct visualisation of the knee cavity and selective sampling of the synovial membrane. We performed needle arthroscopy in 150 patients with synovitis of the knee (1) to evaluate the diagnostic potential in early arthritis, (2) to perform therapeutic lavage in persistent inflammatory synovitis and (3) to assess the balance between technical feasibility, safety and patient comfort on the one hand, and the relevance of the obtained macro- and microscopic information for diagnosis and research purposes on the other. After disinfection of the leg and local anaesthesia of the skin and joint, a 1.8-2.7 mm needle arthroscope was introduced into the knee. Synovial fluid was aspirated and lavage of the joint cavity was performed to allow macroscopic evaluation of hyperaemia and hypertrophy of the synovial membrane. Biopsies were taken at inflamed sites, followed by another lavage to remove blood and debris. Needle arthroscopy of the knee is a simple and easy to perform technique made particularly attractive by the local anaesthesia and the ambulatory setting. It allows good macroscopic evaluation of synovial inflammation and selective sampling of the synovial membrane. Biopsies are suitable for RNA and DNA extraction, bacterial or lymphocyte culture, and cell isolation. Because samples were sometimes too small for representative histology, we switched from a 1.8 mm to a 2.7 mm biopsy forceps with good results. In nearly all cases the arthroscopy was well tolerated. Moreover, some patients reported relief of symptoms and even improvement of mobility after lavage of the inflamed joint. No major complications were noted. It was concluded that needle arthroscopy of the knee is a simple, safe and well-tolerated technique, with promising perspectives as a diagnostic, scientific and possibly therapeutic tool in rheumatic diseases.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0770-3198
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
18
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
434-41
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1999
pubmed:articleTitle
Needle arthroscopy of the knee with synovial biopsy sampling: technical experience in 150 patients.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Rheumatology, University of Ghent, University Hospital of Ghent, Belgium. dominique.baeten@rug.ac.be
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't