The preservation of synovial fluid using dimethyl sulfoxide.

Background: The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs runs a Quality Assurance Program for the assessment of synovial fluid crystals. It provides aliquots of synovial fluid to various laboratories. The quality of specimens can deteriorate prior to being examined.

Acute arthritis: predictive factors and current practice in the approach to diagnosis and management across two hospitals in Sydney.

Background: Literature pertaining to the predictive factors for septic arthritis is limited.

Aims: The primary objective was to investigate the predictive factors for septic arthritis. The secondary objectives were to investigate the predictive factors for crystal arthritis and to explore current practices in the management of acute arthritis.

Evaluating disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis using 99mtc-glucosamine.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of a novel radiotracer, Tc-glucosamine, in assessing disease activity of both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Twenty-five patients with RA (nine males and 16 females) and 12 patients with AS (all male) at various stages of disease were recruited for the study. A clinical history and examination was performed, followed by the measurement of hematological, biochemical, and autoimmune serological parameters to assess disease activity.