Part 8: Specific Joint and Soft Tissue Pathology

 

ASSESSMENT OF JOINTS

 

Rheumatoid arthritis

Typically involves metatarso-phalangeal joints in a bilateral symmetrical fashion

Early findings are soft tissue swelling, joint effusions and periarticular osteoporosis

Progressive joint space narrowing and periarticular erosions as synovial pannus invades cartilage and bone

Generalised osteoporosis and characteristic valgus deformities of the toes progressing to gross subluxation and dislocation in severe cases

Midtarsal and hindfoot involvement is present in long-standing cases

In juvenile disorders such as Still’s disease there may be epiphyseal overgrowth and early fusion with delayed long bone growth and ‘spindling’ of the digits

Rheumatoid arthritis with symmetrical MTP joint loss, erosions and subluxation

 

Osteoarthritis

Narrowing and irregularity of joint space

Damaged cartilage may become calcified (chondrocalcinosis)

Subarticular sclerosis with subchondral cysts Osteophytes

Bone density usually maintained

In late stages, the joint becomes partially or fully ankylosed and osteophytes may fracture, causing loose intra-articular bodies

Osteoarthritis of the 1st MTP joint with joint space narrowing, subarticular sclerosis and marginal osteophytes (arrows)

 

Gout

Hyperuricaemia causes deposition of urate crystals

First metatarso-phalangeal joint is commonly involved, termed a podagra

Well-defined erosions with sclerotic borders which have a ‘punched out’ or ‘rat bite’ appearance and overhanging margin

Joint space and bone density are preserved until late in the course of the disease

Urate crystals deposited in the soft tissues form tophi and periarticular lobulated soft tissue masses

Chondrocalcinosis may represent deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals (pseudogout)

Gout of first MTP joint with well defined ‘punched out’ erosion with overhanging margin (arrow) and soft tissue swelling (arrowheads)

 

Sero-negative spondyloarthropathy

Includes ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and Reiter’s syndrome; linked to HLA B27 antigen complexes

Usually involves interphalangeal joints in an asymmetrical distribution

Soft tissue swelling leads to dactylitis or ‘sausage digits’

Loss of joint space and ill-defined erosions with proliferative new bone formation and periostitis

Erosion of bone end into a sharpened pencil shape giving a ‘pencil in cup’ deformity

Severe forms progress to ankylosis

Fluffy new bone formation and erosions may occur at the calcaneal insertions of the Achilles and plantar fascia

Psoriatic arthropathy with new bone proliferation (arrowhead) and ‘pencil in cup’ appearance (arrow)

 

Synovial osteochondromatosis

Occurs mainly in young or middle-aged adults

Multiple metaplastic cartilaginous bodies form in the synovial membrane of a joint and become ossified

Seen as multiple calcified intra-articular bodies, accompanied by a joint effusion

In chronic cases, there may be pressure erosion of the periarticular bone

Synovial osteochondromatosis of the ankle joint with multiple intra-artcular ossific bodies (arrows)

 

Pigmented villonodular synovitis

More recently called intra-articular tenosynovial giant cell tumour

Most commonly seen in young adults

Characterized by villous nodular proliferation of the synovium with haemosiderin deposition

Dense periarticular soft tissue swelling with pressure erosion of the subarticular bone

Joint space preserved until fairly late

No calcification

MRI useful to demonstrate the villous nodular synovial masses with low signal haemosiderin on all imaging sequences

PVNS with periarticular soft tissue swelling (arrowheads), bone erosion (arrow) and low signal synovial proliferation on MRI (arrows)

 

Septic arthritis

Subchondral osteopenia due to hyperaemia

Joint effusion with displacement of periarticular fat planes

Rapid destruction of joint space

Radiolucency and bone destruction on both sides of the joint

Septic arthritis 1st MTP joint with soft tissue swelling (arrows), loss of joint space, periarticular lucency and early osteolysis

Septic arthritis 3rd MTP joint with rapid loss of joint space and periarticular bone destruction (arrows)