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Ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy: a safe, well-tolerated and reliable technique for obtaining high-quality synovial tissue from both large and small joints in early arthritis patients
  1. S Kelly1,
  2. F Humby2,
  3. A Filer3,
  4. N Ng2,
  5. M Di Cicco2,
  6. R E Hands2,
  7. V Rocher2,
  8. M Bombardieri2,
  9. M A D'Agostino4,
  10. I B McInnes5,
  11. C D Buckley2,
  12. P C Taylor6,
  13. C Pitzalis2
  1. 1Rheumatology Department, Mile End Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
  2. 2Queen Marys University of London, Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, UK
  3. 3School of Immunity and Infection, MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK
  4. 4Université Paris Ouest-Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Service de Rhumatologie, 9 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
  5. 5University of Glasgow, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
  6. 6Nuffield Department of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr S Kelly, Rheumatology Department, Mile End Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 2DG, UK; stephen.kelly{at}bartshealth.nhs.uk

Abstract

Objective To determine the tolerability, safety and yield of synovial tissue in an early arthritis cohort using a minimally invasive, ultrasound (US)-guided, synovial biopsy technique in small, medium and large joints.

Methods 93 sequential biopsy procedures were assessed from a total of 57 patients (baseline and 36 repeat biopsies at 6 months) recruited as part of the ‘Pathobiology of Early Arthritis Cohort’ study. Patients completed a tolerability questionnaire prior to and following the synovial biopsy procedure. The synovial biopsy was performed under US guidance with US images of the joint recorded prior to each procedure. Synovial tissue was harvested for immunohistochemistry and RNA extraction.

Results Five different joint sites were biopsied (knee, elbow, wrist, metacarpal phalangeal and proximal interphalangeal). No significant complications were reported following the procedure. No difference in pain, swelling and stiffness of the biopsied joint from before and after the procedure was demonstrated. A median of 14 biopsy samples was retrieved from each procedure with 93% of biopsy procedures yielding good quality tissue. RNA yield was good in all joints and in repeat biopsies. Multivariant analysis demonstrated a significantly greater yield of RNA and graded tissue in relation to a high prebiopsy, grey-scale synovitis score (0–3, semiquantitative).

Conclusions A minimally invasive approach to synovial tissue harvesting, using US guidance, is both safe and well-tolerated by patients. Tissue quality/RNA yield is preserved in subsequent biopsies following therapeutic intervention. A high US grey-scale synovitis score is a predictor of good quality/quantity of tissue and RNA.

  • Ultrasonography
  • Synovitis
  • Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Inflammation

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