[Immunofluorescence of the synovial membrane. Study of 100 cases]

A study of the use of immunofluorescence of synovial membranes in one hundred cases of various arthropathies reveals the value of the cytoplasmic localization of immune deposits and their type (Ig) in orienting the diagnosis, the influence of therapy, the lack of correlation with optical anatomopathology of synovial tissue (performed on another tissue fragment). Certain recurrent images such as fluorescence of blood vessel walls or the presence of fibrin are of little interest; other such as the cytoplasmic fluorescence of infiltrating cells and particularly, IgG-IgM mixed cellular fluorescence or coupled fluorescence-cellular with Ig and interstitial granular with Ig and C3 orientate the diagnosis to RA. Immunofluorescence appears to be of interest for inflammatory monoarthritis and probable RA. It is less interesting when the etiological context is limited. In addition, a negative immunofluorescent study does not rule out any diagnosis.