DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS OF SYNOVIALITIS - CORRELATION BETWEEN THE HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL FINDINGS OF ARTHROSCOPICALLY OBTAINED BIOPSIES AND CLINICAL SIGNS

Histological examination of 1660 biopsies (2-5 mm) of the synovial mem brane of 317 patients were obtained by arthroscopic dissection; in 70% of all cases non-specific changes were revealed and in 30% specific c hanges. The findings included different stages of proliferation of the superficial layer, uncharacteristic inflammatory reactions of the str atum synoviale and fibrosis of the stroma, vascular proliferation and pseudopolypoid thickening of the synovial membrane. The histomorpholog ical findings can only be interpreted reliably and a pathogenetic clas sification obtained, e.g., detritus synovialitis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic changes, if the arthroscopic findings conclude an e xact documentation of the biopsy site and the clinical findings.