A study to analyze the pattern of synovial lesions from synovial biopsies in a tertiary care centre

Synovium has been documented as a primary site of inflammation and a major effector organ in a variety of joint diseases. Study of simple technique like synovial biopsy can help in early diagnosis and treatment of diseases significantly improving outcome of patient in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc., Only limited data exist on utility of synovial biopsies.

To analyze the pattern of synovial lesions to differentiate between different kinds of arthritis. Also, to identify early stages of arthritis so as to prevent unnecessary invasive surgical procedure.

It's a retrospective study to analyze 103 cases of synovial lesions diagnosed in last five years at a tertiary care orthopedic center. All synovial biopsies obtained mainly by open method and few by arthroscopic method, that came to the Dept of Pathology were included. Lesions were classified into four categories that is, inflammatory joint diseases, degenerative joint diseases, tumor-like conditions and tumors.

Age group most affected was between 61 and 70 years, with male predominance. Osteoarthritis (OA) was the most common histopathological diagnosis. Early OA tissues showed greater lining layer thickness, vessel proliferation, and inflammation, while surface fibrin deposition along with fibrosis was noted in later stages.

The histo-morphological observations made in this study may have important therapeutic implications for some patients during the early evolution of arthritis and could prevent unnecessary operative intervention of later stages.