Synovial Biopsy Findings among Patients with Monoarthritis

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Any joint disorders can present as monoarthritis initially, which makes the range of differential diagnosis of monoarthritis extensive. Synovial biopsy may play a role in the diagnosis of monoarthritis. We reviewed the synovial biopsy findings of monoarthritis patients in order to assess its diagnostic value. METHODS: Synovial pathologic findings of 39 patients who visited the rheumatology or orthopedic surgery clinic for acute or chronic monoarthritis from Feb., 2006 to Jul., 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULT: Four (10.3%) of 39 patients could be diagnosed with specific arthritis after synovial biopsy (rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, giant cell tumor, and osteochondroma, each). CONCLUSION: The result showed that the synovial biopsy is useful for differential diagnosis of monoarthritis in a limited number of cases.