Idiopathic haemorrhagic rupture of the shoulder in destructive disease of the elderly.

The cases of two patients with hydroxyapatite crystal associated destructive disease of the shoulder are described who have developed gross haemorrhagic effusions with spontaneous joint rupture and extensive soft tissue damage. No collagenase activity was found in the synovial fluid. Other possible mechanisms of the destructive process are discussed.

Histopathological and ultrastructural studies of synovium in Milwaukee shoulder syndrome--a basic calcium phosphate crystal arthropathy.

Light and electron microscopic study of synovial specimens from four patients with the Milwaukee shoulder syndrome disclosed vascular congestion, villous and focal synovial lining cell hyperplasia, occasional giant cells, and fibrin deposition both within and on the surface of the synovium. Although these changes are non-specific, the finding of basic calcium phosphate crystal aggregates in all four cases and the near total absence of an inflammatory reaction are helpful in distinguishing this condition from other types of arthritis. The focal areas of synovial cell hyperplasia may relate to the powerful mitogenic effect of both synthetic and naturally occurring calcium-containing crystals in concentrations found in the synovial fluid of these patients.

[Microdurimetric and biochemical study of human articular cartilage. Comparison of different joints]. / Etude microdurimétrique et biochimique du cartilage articulaire humain. Comparaisons de diverses jointures.

The micro-hardness and the density of fixed negative charges in cartilage of the shoulders, hips and knees of 6 subjects were studied. These two parameters were narrowly correlated. The resistance and proteoglycan concentration of the cartilage of the femoral head were greater than those of the knee and of the shoulder. They did not vary on each side. There is a significant correlation between the hardness of the cartilage of the femoral head and of the external femoral condyle. The histologically normal cartilage of the femoral head in arthrosis is at the lower limit of control values for hardness.

Cholesterol-rich synovial effusions.

The occurrence of cholesterol-rich synovial fluids in 2 patients with rheumatoid arthritis is described. These fluids are rare, and are readily mistaken for pus. Their origins are discussed in relation to chronic inflammation.