Needle Biopsy of the Synovial Membrane — Experience with the Parker–Pearson Technic

Abstract

ARTHRITIS is a manifestation of many systemic or local diseases. Diagnosis can sometimes be made by biopsy of the synovium, which formerly required either open arthrotomy or use of the relatively large Polley – Bickel needle.1 In 1963 Parker and Pearson2 described a new, small-caliber synovial-biopsy needle (Fig. 1)* that facilitates the histologic investigation of articular disease. This instrument causes a minimum of trauma, permits removal of specimens from several regions of the joint lining without reinsertion of the trochar, and by making use of suction to engage villous or relatively loose synovium, seems to enhance both quality and uniformity . . .