Synovial biopsy
Biopsy - synovial membrane; Rheumatoid arthritis - synovial biopsy; Gout - synovial biopsy; Joint infection - synovial biopsy; Synovitis - synovial biopsyA synovial biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue lining a joint for examination. The tissue is called the synovial membrane.
How the Test is Performed
The test is done in the operating room, often during an arthroscopy. This is a procedure that uses a tiny camera and surgical tools to examine or repair the tissues inside or around a joint. The camera is called an arthroscope. During this procedure:
- You may receive general anesthesia. This means you'll be pain free and asleep during the procedure. Or, you may receive regional anesthesia. You'll be awake, but the part of the body with the joint will be numb. In some cases, local anesthesia is given, which numbs only the joint.
General anesthesia
General anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleRegional anesthesia
Spinal and epidural anesthesia are procedures that deliver medicines that numb parts of your body to block pain. They are given through shots in or ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - The surgeon makes a tiny cut in the skin near the joint.
- An instrument called a trocar is inserted through the cut into the joint.
- A tiny camera with a light is used to look inside the joint.
- A tool called a biopsy grasper is then inserted through the trocar. The grasper is used to cut a small piece of tissue.
- The surgeon removes the grasper along with the tissue. The trocar and any other instruments are removed. The skin cut is closed and a bandage is applied.
- The sample is sent to a lab for examination.
How to Prepare for the Test
Follow your health care provider's instructions on how to prepare. This may include not eating and drinking anything for several hours before the procedure.
How the Test will Feel
With the local anesthetic, you will feel a prick and a burning sensation. As the trocar is inserted, there will be some discomfort. If the surgery is performed under regional or general anesthesia, you will not feel the procedure.
Why the Test is Performed
Synovial biopsy helps diagnose gout and bacterial infections, or rule out other infections. It can be used to diagnose autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, or uncommon infections like tuberculosis or fungal infections.
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Acute gout is a painful condition th...
Normal Results
The synovial membrane structure is normal.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Synovial biopsy may identify the following conditions:
- Long-term (chronic) synovitis (inflammation of the synovial membrane)
- Coccidioidomycosis (a fungal infection)
Coccidioidomycosis
Valley fever is an infection that occurs when the spores of the fungus Coccidioides immitis enter your body through the lungs.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Fungal arthritis
Fungal arthritis
Fungal arthritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of a joint by a fungal infection. It is also called mycotic arthritis.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Gout
- Hemochromatosis (abnormal buildup of iron deposits)
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a condition in which there is too much iron in the body. It is also called iron overload.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that affects the skin, joints, and other organs)
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Sarcoidosis
- Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Synovial cancer (very rare type of soft tissue cancer)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...
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Risks
There is a very slight chance of infection and bleeding.
Considerations
Follow instructions for keeping the wound clean and dry until your provider says it is OK to get it wet.
References
El-Gabalawy HS, Tanner S. Synovial fluid analyses, synovial biopsy, and synovial pathology. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein and Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 56.
West SG. Synovial biopsies. In: West SG, Kolfenbach J, eds. Rheumatology Secrets. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.
Synovial biopsy - illustration
A synovial biopsy takes a sample of synovial tissue which is tissue that lines the joint. The test is performed to help diagnose gout, bacterial infections, and other infections.
Synovial biopsy
illustration
Review Date: 8/3/2020
Reviewed By: Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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