[Clinical value of histomorphologic studies of joint capsules]. / Klinische Wertigkeit der histomorphologischen Untersuchungen von Gelenkkapseln.

The clinical significance of the histomorphological evaluation of synovial tissue from 389 patients with joint diseases was studied. From these data we conclude: (1) the histomorphological diagnosis in joint diseases is rarely of decisive value (6.2%); (2) in 23.1% of cases the histomorphological diagnosis is judged to be of clinical assistance; (3) the histomorphological grading of the inflammatory reaction in the joint under study corresponds in approximately two out of three cases to the clinical judgement.

Immunophotometric quantification of extravascular immunoglobulin deposits in the synovial membrane of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The amount of extravascular immunoglobulin deposits in the synovial membrane of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis was studied in comparison with that of patients suffering from non-joint diseases. Immunoglobulin deposits were immunostained using the three-layer immunoperoxidase method. The staining results were quantified with the help of a microscope photometer connected with a scanning stage. Several experiments involving artificial test substrates, diseases with allegedly increased extravascular deposits or diseases not exhibiting extravascular deposits of immunoglobulins are used to validate the described microspectrophotometrical approach for measuring extravascular immunoglobulin deposits. The scanning photometry demonstrates significantly higher amount of extravascular immunoglobulin deposits in rheumatoid arthritis as compared with osteoarthritis and non-joint diseases.

Immunophotometric analysis of immunoglobulin synthesis and deposition in synovial membranes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Immunophotometrical measurements of the Ig synthesis of plasma cells in joint capsules of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis were compared. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed higher mean values in the single plasma cell than patients with osteoarthritis for all Ig isotypes except IgG. These results are indicative for a B cell activation with increased synthesis of Ig in RA.