Synovial membrane: percutaneous biopsy.

With use of fluoroscopy, new techniques of percutaneous synovial biopsy (PSB) of large joints of limbs (other than the knee) were developed. PSB was performed on outpatients with the use of local anesthesia. Eighty-four biopsies (hip, 57; shoulder, 10; elbow, six; wrist, five; and ankle, six) were performed. With experience, modifications evolved in the PSB technique. The main technical refinements were use of a Tru-Cut needle introduced through a Jamshidi trephine needle, placement of the cutting window parallel to the anterior aspect of the joint, and selection of an optimal approach and biopsy site. With these improvements, the success rate for obtaining synovial membrane was raised from 48% to 81%. No complications were encountered.

[Weber-Christian syndrome and pancreatic involvement. Apropos of a case with review of the literature]. / Syndrome de Weber-Christian et affections pancréatiques. A propos d'un cas avec revue de la littérature.

The Weber-Christian syndrome associates generalized nodular inflammatory panniculitis with osteoarticular manifestations. Pathogenesis of this rare affection is still obscure but a pancreatic origin has been reported in the literature. A case is presented having the particular features of being revealed by a subacute episode of chronic pancreatitis, and by the intensity of radiologic bony manifestations.