Utility of synovial biopsy.
Synovial biopsies, gained either by blind needle biopsy or minimally invasive arthroscopy, offer additional information in certain clinical situations where routine assessment has not permitted a certain diagnosis. In research settings, synovial histology and modern applications of molecular biology increase our insight into pathogenesis and enable responses to treatment with new therapeutic agents to be assessed directly at the pathophysiological level. This review focuses on the diagnostic usefulness of synovial biopsies in the light of actual developments.
Vordenbäumen
Stefan
S
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Rheumatology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. stefan.vordenbaeumen@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Joosten
Leo Ab
LA
Friemann
Johannes
J
Schneider
Matthias
M
Ostendorf
Benedikt
B
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D000074402:Synovectomy