Synovial biopsies in clinical practice and research: current developments and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pathology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Synovial biopsy is crucial for diagnosing joint diseases.
• Advancements in imaging, particularly ultrasound, have improved biopsy techniques.
• Translational research is uncovering new insights into disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current synovial biopsy techniques and their applications.
• To highlight recent advances in translational research related to synovial biopsies.
• To discuss challenges and future perspectives in the field.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on synovial biopsy techniques.
• Analysis of clinical applications and diagnostic performance data.
• Exploration of translational research, including -omics and single-cell RNA sequencing.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound-guided procedures enhance feasibility, success rates, and tolerance of synovial biopsies.
• Synovial biopsies show significant diagnostic performance, particularly for septic arthritis.
• Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies novel cell subpopulations involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathophysiology.

Conclusions:

• Synovial biopsy techniques have evolved significantly, offering valuable diagnostic and research tools.
• Translational research, especially single-cell analysis, is paving the way for personalized therapies in RA.
• Further development is needed to address current challenges and optimize future applications.