title: The diagnostic potential of synovial effusion in meniscal pathology.
abstract: During a 20-month period, 382 arthroscopies were performed and the type of washout fluid obtained was noted. When a torn meniscus was found, the fluid was macroscopically abnormal in 97.4% of cases. A crystal clear washout was associated with no demonstrable pathology in over half the cases, the remainder having mainly patellofemoral joint pathology and other articular lesions. Only 6.3% of those with a clear fluid washout had meniscal pathology. Of those with abnormal fluid, 68% had meniscal pathology, with a normal arthroscopic examination being found in only 8.5%. In addition, when the fluid from traumatic effusions was examined microscopically, a typical droplet containing lipid crystals was found to be present and to account for an oily macroscopic appearance. These data support the use of fluid irrigation of the knee as a screening test for intraarticular pathology, especially of the menisci, that may allow a reduction in the number of negative arthroscopies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Manchester Medical School, England.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Royle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Parkinson
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Freemont
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries