CHOLESTEROL CRYSTALS IN OSTEOARTHRITIC JOINT EFFUSIONS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 8  (2) , 273-280
Abstract
Cholesterol crystals were demonstrated in synovial fluids from 4 patient with knee osteoarthritis and recurrent synovial effusions. Large crystals (10-80 .mu.m) were readily identifiable by their characteristic plate-like morphology. Some fluids also contained numerous smaller (1-5 .mu.m) irregular, rod and needle shaped crystals. Identification of these crystals was established by X-ray diffraction analysis (2 fluids) and by ultrastructural studies (1 fluid). Cholesterol crystals occur in osteoarthritic effusions. Their precise pathogenetic significance remains unclear.