Study of histomorphological features of synovial biopsy in joint diseases

Abstract

Introduction: The histopathological examination of synovial biopsy plays an important role in arriving at correct diagnosis in joint disease presenting as unclassified arthritis, suspicious of granulomatous disease, deposition disease or infectious disease. Objectives: To study the histomorphological features of synovial biopsy in joint diseases. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology, K V G Medical College and Hospital, Sullia, D.K. In the present study 50 cases of synovial lesions were evaluated histopathologically. Results: Histomorphological examination of 50 synovial biopsies revealed the following lesions: Chronic non specific synovitis was the commonest synovial lesion encountered in 30 (60%) cases followed by 6 (12%) cases of Ganglion cyst, 4 (8%) cases of Septic arthritis, 3 (6%) cases of Baker’s cyst, 2(4%) cases each of Synovial chondromatosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis and 1 (2%) case of Cavernous hemangioma. Conclusion: It was concluded that most of the cases in our study was that of chronic nonspecific synovitis. This could be due to early stage of Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other seronegative arthritis. Hence, these patients should be closely followed up and repeat biopsies should be carried out as they may present with specific diagnostic features in their due course. Keywords: Synovitis, Arthritis, Syovial biopsy, Histomorphological features.