[Indications for tissue biopsy. Diagnostic histopathology in rheumatological diseases]. / Biopsieindikationen. Histopathologische Diagnostik in der Rheumatologie.

ABSTRACT

The role of a standardized histopathological examination of tissue biopsies and of different tissue compartments (synovia, vascular tissue, bone) is discussed in order to stratify the therapy of different forms of arthritis and other rheumatological diseases. Furthermore the diagnostic steps for the histopathological diagnosis of metabolic osteopathic diseases are highlighted. The synovitis-score is described as a diagnostic device leading to the diagnosis of a low-grade synovitis, which is associated with degenerative and posttraumatic arthropathies, or of a high-grade synovitis which is associated with rheumatic diseases.