title: Ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy: a safe, well-tolerated and reliable technique for obtaining high-quality synovial tissue from both large and small joints in early arthritis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the tolerability, safety and yield of synovial tissue in an early arthritis cohort using a minimally invasive, ultrasound (US)-guided, synovial biopsy technique in small, medium and large joints.
  
  
  METHODS
  93 sequential biopsy procedures were assessed from a total of 57 patients (baseline and 36 repeat biopsies at 6 months) recruited as part of the 'Pathobiology of Early Arthritis Cohort' study. Patients completed a tolerability questionnaire prior to and following the synovial biopsy procedure. The synovial biopsy was performed under US guidance with US images of the joint recorded prior to each procedure. Synovial tissue was harvested for immunohistochemistry and RNA extraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five different joint sites were biopsied (knee, elbow, wrist, metacarpal phalangeal and proximal interphalangeal). No significant complications were reported following the procedure. No difference in pain, swelling and stiffness of the biopsied joint from before and after the procedure was demonstrated. A median of 14 biopsy samples was retrieved from each procedure with 93% of biopsy procedures yielding good quality tissue. RNA yield was good in all joints and in repeat biopsies. Multivariant analysis demonstrated a significantly greater yield of RNA and graded tissue in relation to a high prebiopsy, grey-scale synovitis score (0-3, semiquantitative).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A minimally invasive approach to synovial tissue harvesting, using US guidance, is both safe and well-tolerated by patients. Tissue quality/RNA yield is preserved in subsequent biopsies following therapeutic intervention. A high US grey-scale synovitis score is a predictor of good quality/quantity of tissue and RNA.
authors: Rheumatology Department, Mile End Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kelly
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Humby
authors: School of Immunity and Infection, MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Filer
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Ng
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Di Cicco
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: R E
authors: RE
authors: Hands
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Rocher
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bombardieri
authors: Université Paris Ouest-Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Service de Rhumatologie, 9 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: D'Agostino
authors: University of Glasgow, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors: I B
authors: IB
authors: McInnes
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: C D
authors: CD
authors: Buckley
authors: Nuffield Department of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, UK.
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Taylor
authors: Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pitzalis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D012313:RNA
keywords: Early Rheumatoid Arthritis; Inflammation; Synovitis; Ultrasonography