Correlation between the arthroscopic diagnosis of synovitis and microvessel density in synovial tissues in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.

Objective: To elucidate the correlation between the arthroscopic diagnosis of synovitis and microvessel density in synovial tissues in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Study Design: Forty-three joints in 41 patients with internal derangement were examined and biopsies taken. Microvessel density was evaluated using the immunohistochemical method for CD 34 antibody. Arthroscopically diagnosed synovitis was evaluated according to Murakami's criteria.

Results: In patients with internal derangement, arthroscopically diagnosed synovitis scores averaged 5.2+/-2.0, according to Murakami et al. (1991). Small to large blood vessels were observed clearly with CD 34 stain. The mean microvessel density was 22.7+/-15.6 per two high power fields (magnification x200). Synovitis scores correlated significantly with microvessel density (p=0.002, r=0.43).

Conclusion: Synovitis evaluated using Murakami's scores correlated well with the number of blood vessels in synovial tissues in patients with internal derangement of the TMJ. This demonstrates that synovitis is linked to inflammation-related blood vessel density of the synovial tissues.