title: The erosive front: a topographic study of the junction between the pannus and the subchondral plate in the macerated rheumatoid metacarpal head.
abstract: The junction between cellular pannus and cartilage/bone was identified grossly on rheumatoid metacarpal heads. Its topography was displayed by scanning electron microscopy using macerated samples. A uniform pattern of resorption bays, typical of osteoclastic activity, was seen spreading over the surfaces of both calcified cartilage and subchondral bone. The contact area between pannus and cartilage/bone was found to represent an erosive front. Morphologic evidence suggested that osteoclasts were primarily responsible for the destructive process.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Leisen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Riddle
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Pitchford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology*; D001862:Bone Resorption; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged