Synovial xanthomatosis: are there clues to mechanisms for this rare disease?

We report a 64-year-old man with arthritis and nodules to describe that this picture can be caused by normo-lipidemic xanthomas. Light and electron microscopy (EM) plus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies were performed for diagnosis and investigation. These showed features typical of xanthomas plus PCR and EM evidence of possible infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae as a pathogenetic mechanism deserving consideration.

Pilot investigation of hyaluronate injections for first metacarpal-carpal (MC-C) osteoarthritis.

Hyaluronate intraarticular injections are widely used for treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, but there is no published literature on its use in osteoarthritis of the hand. We describe an open-label, baseline-controlled pilot study in which 5 weekly injections of 10 mg sodium hyaluronate (molecular weight 500-730 kDa) in 1 mL was used to treat 16 patients with osteoarthritic first metacarpal-carpal (MC-C) joints. The injections were performed easily and were well tolerated.

Prophylactic effect of highly selective COX-2 inhibition in acute monosodium urate crystal induced inflammation in the rat subcutaneous air pouch.

Objective: To examine the ability of rofecoxib prophylaxis to blunt the effect of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal inflammation induced in the rat subcutaneous air pouch.

Methods: Eight rats were used in each of 4 groups. On day one, air was injected subcutaneously to create the pouches and gavage feedings were started with placebo or 2 different doses of rofecoxib.

Are there distinctive inflammatory flares after hylan g-f 20 intraarticular injections?

Objective: This survey was designed to examine features of a group of patients with acute painful joint effusions following hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc) knee injections.

Methods: Eight patients with painful local reactions after intraarticular hylan G-F 20 injections for knee osteoarthritis were evaluated clinically, with detailed synovial fluid analysis, and followed for outcome.

Results: Leukocyte counts ranged from 3150 to 103,000/mm3.