Salivary cortisol as a biomarker of stress in surgical patients.

Background: Surgical stress and pain result in activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of postoperative pain and various modalities of analgesic administration on salivary and serum cortisol levels, as well as to establish the validity of salivary cortisol as a stress indicator in surgical patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involved 60 patients scheduled for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups depending on the model of postoperative analgesia. The first group (MI - morphine intermittently) included patients given morphine doses 0.1 mg/kg/6h s.c. intermittently. The second group (MPCA - morphine patient-controlled analgesia) included patients who received morphine via the PCA system - intravenous administration of morphine adjusted to a dose of 1 mg per shot and a lockout interval of 6 minutes.

Investigation of Venus Cloud Aerosol and Gas Composition Including Potential Biogenic Materials via an Aerosol-Sampling Instrument Package.

A lightweight, low-power instrument package to measure, in situ, both (1) the local gaseous environment and (2) the composition and microphysical properties of attendant venusian aerosols is presented. This Aerosol-Sampling Instrument Package (ASIP) would be used to explore cloud chemical and possibly biotic processes on future aerial missions such as multiweek balloon missions and on short-duration (<1 h) probes on Venus and potentially on other cloudy worlds such as Titan, the Ice Giants, and Saturn. A quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometer (QITMS; Madzunkov and Nikolic, J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 25:1841-1852, 2014) fed alternately by (1) an aerosol separator that injects only aerosols into a vaporizer and mass spectrometer and (2) the pure aerosol-filtered atmosphere, achieves the compositional measurements. Aerosols vaporized <600°C are measured over atomic mass ranges from 2 to 300 AMU at <0.02 AMU resolution, sufficient to measure trace materials, their isotopic ratios, and potential biogenic materials embedded within H2SO4 aerosols, to better than 20% in <300 s for H2SO4 -relative abundances of 2 × 10-9. An integrated lightweight, compact nephelometer/particle-counter determines the number density and particle sizes of the sampled aerosols.

LOWER BACK PAIN--SILENT SYMPTOM OF CHRONIC INFRARENAL ABDOMINAL ANEURYSM RUPTURE.

INTRODUCTION: The rupture of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm is a surgical emergency condition with a high rate of mortality before the patients arrive at hospital. The signs and symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture into the retroperitoneal cavity are pulsatile mass, abdominal pain, hypotension and shock, but sometimes silent symptoms also hide a dangerous and life threatening condition, such as chronic aneurysm rupture of abdominal aorta into the retroperitoneal cavity. CASE REPORT: We present a patient having had the lower back pain for 4 months, which had been recognized and treated as lumbar ischialgia but which was eventually diagnosed to be chronic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture by computed tomography angiography. The surgical intervention was successful and the patient was discharged from hospital after 6 days without any clinical complications. Preoperative imaging by computed tomography angiography of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is highly sensitive for detection of several specific signs for rupture. This condition leads to urgent vascular surgery.

Magnesium Sulfate as an Adjuvant to Anesthesia in Patients with Arterial Hypertension

There is limited evidence showing that elevated arterial blood pressure in surgical patients may be associated with increased perioperative risk; however, cardiovascular instability frequently occurs during anesthesia. The most commonly used anesthetic agents, both intravenous and inhalation ones, produce a decrease in arterial blood pressure. Magnesium, acting as a natural calcium-channel blocker, induces direct and indirect vasodilatation, thus playing a role in the treatment of arterial hypertension. In this research, we assessed the effects of magnesium sulfate on cardiovascular stability in patients undergoing diverse planned surgical procedures (abdominal, orthopedic, urology) under general balanced anesthesia, who were diagnosed with arterial hypertension grade 1 and 2. The research encompassed 100 patients of both sexes, aged from 20 to 65. Immediately before induction of anesthesia with propofol, the patients in the experimental group (50 study subjects) received 30 mg/ kg bolus dose and magnesium sulfate infusion at 10 mg/kg/h, whereas the subjects in the control group (50 patients) were administered normal saline. Anesthesia was achieved and maintained with sevoflurane, fentanyl and rocuronium. The hemodynamic variables of mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured every five minutes, starting immediately before magnesium infusion. Statistical analysis of the categorized values of mean arterial pressure and heart rate revealed a statistically significant between-group difference at 60th and 90th minute of anesthesia. In conclusion, magnesium sulfate as an adjuvant to anesthesia in patients with arterial hypertension reduces hemodynamic changes during anesthesia.

RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY IN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF INVASIVE CERVICAL CANCER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS IN NOVI SAD IN THE PERIOD 1993-2013.

INTRODUCTION: During the period from 1993 - 2013, 175 women with invasive cervical cancer underwent radical hysterectomy sec. Wertheim-Meigs at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. Indications for radical hysterectomy comprise histopathologically confirmed invasive cervical cancer in stages I B 1- II B according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Stage ofthe disease or extent of the disease spread to the adjacent structures was assessed in accordance with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system from 2009. Exclusion criteria were all other stages of this disease: I A and stages higher than II B, as well as the absence of definite histological confirmation of the cervical cancer (primary endometrial or vaginal cancer which infiltrates the uterine cervix). Prior the operation, the following had to be done: the imaging of pelvis and abdomen, chest X-ray in two directions, electrocardiography, internist and anesthesiological examination. RESULTS: The patients' age ranged from 24-79 years (x : 46 years), and the operation duration was 120-300 minutes (x : 210 min.). Stage I B 1 was found in 64.6% of operated patients, 14.8% of the patients were in stage I B 2, 9.1% were in stage II A and 11.4% were in stage II B. Blood loss during the operation ranged from 50-800 ml (on average 300 ml), and the number ofremoved lymph nodes per operation was 14-75 (x : 32). Intraoperative and postoperative complications developed in 6.8% of and 17.7% of patients, respectively. Recurrence was reported in 22(12.5%) patients, most often in paraaortic lymph nodes (3.4%) and parametria (2.8%), while the overall 5-year survival rate was 87% until 2008. CONCLUISION: Wertheim-Meigs radical hysterectomy is a basic surgical technique for the treatment of initial stages of invasive cervical cancer.

Low VHL mRNA expression is associated with more aggressive tumor features of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Alterations of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene can cause different hereditary tumors associated with VHL syndrome, but the potential role of the VHL gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has not been characterized. This study set out to investigate the relationship of VHL expression level with clinicopathological features of PTC in an ethnically and geographically homogenous group of 264 patients from Serbia, for the first time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a strong correlation between low level of VHL expression and advanced clinical stage (OR = 5.78, 95% CI 3.17-10.53, P<0.0001), classical papillary morphology of the tumor (OR = 2.92, 95% CI 1.33-6.44, P = 0.008) and multifocality (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.06-3.62, P = 0.031). In disease-free survival analysis, low VHL expression had marginal significance (P = 0.0502 by the log-rank test) but did not appear to be an independent predictor of the risk for chance of faster recurrence in a proportion hazards model. No somatic mutations or evidence of VHL downregulation via promoter hypermethylation in PTC were found. The results indicate that the decrease of VHL expression associates with tumor progression but the mechanism of downregulation remains to be elucidated.

An analysis of the influence of intra-operative blood salvage and autologous transfusion on reducing the need for allogeneic transfusion in elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: An intra-operative cell salvage machine, commonly known as a "cell saver", aspirates, washes, and filters patient's blood during an operation so that the blood can be returned to the patient's circulation instead of being discarded. This procedure could significantly reduce the risks related to the use of allogeneic blood and blood products in surgery. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of intra-operative cell salvage on reducing the need for allogeneic blood in patients with asymptomatic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoing elective repair of the aneurysm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from the clinical records of patients who underwent elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Two groups were formed: the "cell saver" group, in which intra-operative cell salvage was used, and the control group, in which a cell saver was not used. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with the use of a cell saver, while 32 underwent the same operation without cell salvage. We found a significant association between use of the cell saver and a reduced need for allogeneic blood in these patients. Operations performed with the use of a cell saver lasted, on average, less time than those performed without it. The difference between pre-operative and post-operative haemoglobin levels was significantly greater in the group of patients who underwent repair with the use of a cell saver than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The use of a cell saver in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair significantly reduces the need for intra-operative use of allogeneic blood.

The analysis of the connection between plaque morphology of asymptomatic carotid stenosis and ischemic brain lesions.

BACKGROUND/AIM: A certain percentage of patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis have an unstable carotid plaque. For these patients it is possible to register the existence of lesions of the brain parenchyma - the silent brain infarction. These patients have a greater risk of ischemic stroke by modern imaging methods. The aim of this study was to analyze the connection between the morphology of atherosclerotic carotid plaque in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis and the manifestation of silent brain infarction, and to analyze the influence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases on the occurrence of silent brain infarction and the morphology of carotid plaque. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who had been operated for high grade (> 70%) extracranial atherosclerotic carotid stenosis at the Clinic for Vascular and Transplantation Surgery of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina over a period of 5 tears. The patients analyzed had no clinical manifestation of cerebrovascular insufficiency of the carotid artery territory up to the time of operation. The classification of carotid plaque morphology was carried out according to the Gray-Weale classification, after which all the types were subcategorized into two groups: stable and unstable. Brain lesions were verified using preoperative imaging of the brain parenchyma by magnetic resonance. We analyzed ipsilateral lesions of the size > or = 3 mm. RESULTS: Out of 201 patients 78% had stable plaque and 22% unstable one. Unstable plaque was prevalent in the male patients (male/female ratio = 24.8% : 17.8%), but without a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The risk factors (hypertension, nicotinism, hyperlipoproteinemia, and diabetes mellitus) showed no statistically significant impact on carotid plaque morphology and the occurrence of silent brain infarction. Silent brain infarction was detected in 30.8% of the patients. Unstable carotid plaque was found in a larger percentage of patients with silent brain infarction (36.4% : 29.3%) but without a significant statistical difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Even though silent brain infarction is more frequent in patients with unstable plaque of carotid bifurication, the difference is of no statistical significance. The effects of the number and type of risk factors bear no statistical significance on the incidence of morphological asymptomatic carotid plaque.

Surgical treatment of invasive vulvar cancer.

This paper presents the surgical treatment of invasive cancer of the vulva at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics inNovi Sad in the period from 2000 to 2010. Forty-one patients underwent different surgical procedures depending on their stage of the disease, age and general physical condition assessed according to the International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians: wide excision to the healthy area with negative edges of 10 mm, simplex--radical vulvectomy or hemivulvectomy, block dissection of the vulva by Way, one-sided or bilateral lymphadenectomy and skin-muscle flap to cover the resulting skin defects. The number of removed lymph nodes on one side ranged from 8 to 19, the average being 12.6. Various postoperative complications (inflammation and wound dehiscence, lymphorrhoea, lymphocyst and limb lymphedema) developed in 9 (21.9%) and the local regional recurrence was recorded in 7 (17%) patients. The outcome was lethal in 4 (9.8%) surgically treated women. The primary surgical procedure is always individually planned and the choice of individual plans depends on three main factors: the size and position of the primary tumor in relation to the center line of the vulva (clitoral area--anus) and the involvement of regional lymph nodes. In order to reduce the psychosexual morbidity the preference is nowadays widely given to the local excision with adequate and histopathologically confirmed negative edges of the tumor together with determining the presence of metastases in sentinel lymph nodes.

Influence of the purification of human adult pancreatic islets on insulin secretion.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The most effective method for human adult pancreatic islets purification is density-gradient centrifugation. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of non-automated purification on preservation of functional capacity of human adult pancreatic islet cells. METHODS: Human pancreata were obtained after pancreatectomy in the patients with chronic pancreatitis or benign tumors. Pancreatic islets were purified by non-automated method in discontinuous Ficoll density gradient. The samples were divided in 2 fractions: purified (P) and non-purified (NP) cultures. Islets were stained with diphenyl-thiocarbazone. The efficiency of separation was determined by comparing percentage of stained cells in P and NP cultures on day 1, 3 and 7 of shortterm cultivation. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was expressed as stimulation index (SI). RESULTS: The results obtained showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between P and NP cultures. P cultures had higher percentages of stained cells (70.43 +/- 3.97%, 73.77 +/- 4.22% and 71.34 +/- 4.69% on the first, third and seventh day of cultivation, respectively) than NP cultures (53.68 +/- 1.71%, 57.14 +/- 3.94% and 43.97 +/- 4.56%, respectively). P cultures had higher values of SI for the first, third and seventh day of cultivation than NP cultures (0.45 +/- 0.08, 0.80 +/- 0.21, 1.28 +/- 0.15 and 0.46 +/- 0.10, 0.752 +/- .0.16, 0.76 +/- 0.11 for P and NP cultures respectively). The difference was statistically significant on day seven (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Although during purification process islets were exposed to a number of insults that might result in cellular damage and functional impairment, our assessments showed that islets in P cultures preserved their functional capacity better than islets in NP cultures, since they had greater insulin secretion.

Surgical treatment of big splenic artery aneurysm--case report.

An aneurysm has been defined as a permanent local dilatation of the diameter of an artery by at least 50% of its normal value. A splenic artery aneurysm is most frequently a visceral artery aneurysm and clinically it is usually asymptomatic but potentially life-threatening at the same time, with the incidence of its rupturing being 2-10% and then the mortality rate ranges from 20 to 36%. A 51-year-old female patient was admitted to the Department of Vascular and Transplantation Surgery in Novi Sad having been found to have a big splenic artery aneurysm during the ultrasound examination of her abdomen after cholecystectomy. The additional diagnostic procedure--computerized tomography of the abdomen with i.v. contrast subtraction angiography--confirmed the splenic artery aneurysm to have the diameter of 5 cm and therefore the elective surgical treatment was indicated after the preoperative preparation and risk assessment. The aneurysm was exposed through Chevron incision, and the detailed surgical exploration was done after the omental bursa had been opened. The aneurysmectomy and the reconstruction of the splenic artery by the termino-terminal anastomosis were performed after the weakening of the wall had been verified. The biopsies of the liver and the aneurysmal sac were done during the surgery. The pathohistological finding confirmed the atherosclerotic etiology of the aneurysm. Since the postoperative course was normal, the patient was discharged on the eighth postoperative day.

[Femoro-popliteal reconstructions: "in situ" versus "reversed" technique: comparative results].

INTRODUCTION: Infrainguinal arterial reconstruction is a procedure with two main types of autologous venous grafts: reversed-vein bypass grafting, and the in situ bypass grafting. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages, and the aim of this study was to compare the results of each technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from 1999 to 2003, 118 patients with infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease (IAOD) underwent reconstruction surgery at the Vascular and Transplantation Surgery Clinic in Novi Sad. 141 reconstruction procedures were performed using the autologous great saphenous vein. The patients were divided into two groups: group I included 72 patients with "in situ" bypass grafts and group II included 46 with 55 "reversed" bypass grafts. The postoperative function was evaluated by using a pocket-sized Doppler sonography, and by assessment of the postoperative increase in API in regard to preoperative values. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the investigated groups of patients and X2 showed that there were no statistically significant differences in postoperative patency, complication rate and number of salvaged limbs. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that both investigated reconstruction techniques have advantages and minor disadvantages: they are applicable, safe and reliable and each has a specific range of indications.

[Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Numerous papers on reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee (ACL) contribute to the significance of this method. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of the use of this surgical treatment method regardless the type of surgical intervention, graft, and the choice of the material for fixing. METHODS: The study included 324 patients treated within the period from April 1997 to April 2004. Arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction was typically performed using the central one-third of the patellar ligament, as a graft, with bone blocks. Fixing was performed using screws (spongy or interferential, Mitek type). In the cases who required revision of the surgery, we used a graft m. semitendinosus and m. gracilise (STG) or a graft of the patellar ligament (B-Pt-B). Fixation in these cases was performed using absorptive wedges according to the Rigidfix technique or metallic implants. RESULTS: The analysis included the results of the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee (B-Pt-B or STG graft) in 139 of the knees. Chronic injuries were revealed in 132 (94.9%) of the knees. According to the anamnesis and clinical findings, the feeling of instability prevailed in 132 (94.9%) of the knees, pain in 72 (51.7%), effluents in 24 (17.2%), and blockages in 13 (9.3%). Early and late postoperative complications were noticeable in 3.5% each. Hypotrophy of the upper knee musculature up to 2 cm was present in 53.9% of the operated knees, while minor contractions in 13.6% of them. The final result of the reconstruction graded begusing the Lysholm Scale was 85.2, simultaneous reconstructions of other ligaments 75.3, and revision surgery 68.0. First-grade degenerative postoperative changes according to the K/L Scale were found in 55.0% of the surgically treated knees, while the worst, four-grade one in 2.5%. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these findings, we can conclude that this method is the method of choice in preventing further "worsening" of the chronically instable knee. The surgical technique of choice is arthroscopically assisted reconstruction using a B-Pt-B or STG graft.

[Results of autovenous femoro-distal bypass procedures in the type III peripheral obliterative arterial disease of the extremities in diabetic and nondiabetic patients].

INTRODUCTION: It has been established that infrainguinal occlusive disease, type III peripheral obliterative arterial disease (POAD), is more common in diabetics than in non-diabetics. It is presumeable that after surgical treatment of this arterial segment diabetics develop more complications and higher mortality rate than non-diabetics. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of reconstructive surgical treatment of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with type III PAOD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period 1999-2003, 118 patients with Type III PAOD underwent surgery at the Vascular Surgery Clinic in Novi Sad. They were divided into two groups: group I included 51 nondiabetic patients, and group II 67 diabetic patients. Subgroups were formed based on the clinical status. Differencies were established in IVa, (46 diabetics and 4 non-diabetics) and IVb stage (11 diabetic and 30 non-diabetic patients). RESULTS: Statistical data analysis using X2 test showed a stastical difference in complications rates, number of salvaged limbs and finally, in the mortality rates between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: Diabetic patients presented with significantly more trophic lesions (IVa stage). The overall complication rate was significantly higher in diabetics, as well as the amputation rate. Finally, the mortality rate was also significantly higher in diabetics than in nondiabetic patients.

Successful treatment of postvenereal reactive arthritis with synovectomy and 3 months' azithromycin.

BACKGROUND: The effects of antibiotic therapy on the course of postvenereal reactive arthritis have not yet been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to observe the clinical course and outcome of synovectomy and 3 months of azithromycin therapy in patients with reactive arthritis and previously diagnosed triggering bacteria. METHODS: We performed an open, prospective study on 20 (14 male/6 female) patients with postvenereal reactive knee arthritis, aged 36.7 +/- 14.8 years, and with 16.5 +/- 20.4 months' duration of the disease. Detection of bacteria triggers was done by polymerase chain reaction, isolation and identification, and electron microscopy. Synovectomy was performed in all patients at entry into the study. Azithromycin was given at a dose of 500 mg per day for 5 days, and then 500 mg twice a week, during a 3-month period. Patients without remission were treated with combined antibiotic therapy using a macrolide, quinolone, and tetracycline for the next 4 months. Outcome evaluations of therapeutic efficacy and azithromycin safety were done after 1 and 3 months and 2 years of follow up. RESULTS: Remission, defined by the absence of joint swelling and tenderness, and extraarticular signs, was reached after 3 months in 15 of 20 (75.0%) patients (P = 0.025). Of 5 patients with persistent knee arthritis, remission was achieved with combined antibiotic therapy in 4. Visual analog scale scores (P < 0.01), the number of patients (P = 0.002), and the number of samples (P = 0.01) with a positive finding of bacteria or their DNA were significantly lower after 3 months of therapy. During the azithromycin therapy, there were no significant adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: These patients with reactive arthritis did extremely well on the regimen described. In our study group, the number of patients and the number of samples with positive findings of bacteria or their DNA were lower after the antibiotic treatment combined with surgery, although not all bacteria were eradicated. Adverse effects of prolonged azithromycin administration were insignificant. This open treatment approach is recommended but does need a study with controls.

[Osteoid osteoma--ten-years' experience in therapy]. / Osteoidni osteom--desetogodisnje iskustvo u lecenju.

AIM: To review ten-years experience in diagnostics and operative treatment of osteoid osteoma. METHODS: A total of 15 patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Clinical diagnosis was based on medical check-up, aspirin test, and conventional laboratory and radiographic examinations. CAT scan radionuclide bone scan, and magnetic resonance were performed in certain cases. All the patients were operatively treated by local resection of the tumor-infested bone. The resected part of the bone was intraoperatively checked by X-ray. The aim of this examination was to verify nidus in the resected bone. Afterwards, the resected bone with nidus was histologically analyzed. RESULTS: Osteoid osteoma was histologically verified in 86.6% of cases. Other forms of bone tumors were verified in 13.3%. In the early postoperative period patients were without previous discomforts. Future treatment consisted of regular medical check-up of all the patients. In order to verify the final results, in February 2002 another medical check-up was performed for 11 patients, upon their consent. All of the patients with verified osteoid osteoma were without discomforts. Medical findings were regular in each case. Conventional radiography showed a solid bone remodelling in place of resected bone. CONCLUSION: Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor with typical clinical and radiographic findings. Operative treatment represents a method of choice and demands accurate preoperative localization of the lesion, with the help of computer-assisted tomography.

[Diagnostic significance of synovial biopsy in patients with Reiter's syndrome]. / Dijagnosticki znacaj biopsije sinovije kod bolesnika sa Rajterovim sindromom.

INTRODUCTION: Arthritis in Reiter's syndrome (RS) is a reactive synovitis associated with a localized infection of the urogenital or gastrointestinal tract with a genetic predisposition. The pathogenetic mechanisms for synovitis in RS are still unknown. Our aim was to examine some of the pathogenetic mechanisms in Reiter's syndrome looking for morphologic changes, immunoprotein deposits and microorganism antigens in synovial biopsies and to determine whether synovial biopsy is useful in diagnosis of RS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with urogenital form of RS were examined within a four-year period. Table 1 illustrates laboratory findings in our patients. We performed synovial biopsies looking for histopathological changes, deposits of immunoproteins and microorganism antigens. Analysis of synovial biopsy specimens was performed using light and immunofluorescence microscopy and fluorescein-labelled monoclonal antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis. RESULTS: Histopathological examination of synovial membrane revealed marked proliferation of the synovial lining cells (SLC) with less or more abundant papillary projections, hypertrophic and edematous tissue with marked vascularisation in 28 (93.3%) cases. Fibrinoid necrosis foci were seen on the surface of synovial tissue. Chronic inflammatory cells (CIC) were diffusely distributed. Edema of the vessel walls, swollen endothelial cells, fibrinoid necrosis in vessel walls as well as multilaminated basement membranes were observed. All histopathologic changes are presented in Table 2. Immunofluorescent techniques in 12 out of 30 (40%) synovial membranes showed immunoglobulin deposits: IgG and IgA deposits were found in vessel walls in 7 cases each and IgM in 10 biopsy specimens. C3 was present perivascularly or within the vessel wall in 4 (13.3%) cases. Sections treated using fluorescein-conjugated antibody revealed Chlamydia in the synovial tissue in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Biopsy specimens with previously described changes in patients with suspected Reiter's syndrome can be useful to confirm the diagnosis. According to our experience, multiple biopsies of abnormal synovia are recommended in these patients.