Percutaneous biopsy of the synovial membrane of large joints

Using flouroscopy, the authors have developed new techniques of percutaneous synovial biopsy (PSB) of large joints of limbs (other than the knee). PSB was performed on outpatients under local anesthesia. They have performed 84 biopsies (hips: 57), shoulders: 10, elbows: six, wrists: five, ankles: six). The PSB technique was gradually improved. 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 of attaining synovial membrane was raised from 49% to 81%. No complications were encountered