Ultrasound-detected lumps in synovial fluid, a sonographic finding associated with non-inflammatory joint effusion
Authors' conclusion
US lumps in SF are strongly associated with non-inflammatory joint effusion.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients with symptomatic synovial effusion (88.8% knees); patients with crystal deposits excluded
- Participants
- 108 patients
- Exposure
- US-detected lumps in synovial fluid (SF) vs synovial white blood cell (WBC) count
- US lumpsn = 40
- Outcome
- Diagnostic value of US lumps for non-inflammatory effusion (<2,000 cells/mm³)
Methodological detailsdiagnostic accuracy, consecutive patients
- Diagnostic accuracy
- Consecutive patients
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Non-inflammatory effusion (<2,000 cells/mm³)
| Group | AUC | Sensitivity | Specificity |
|---|---|---|---|
| US lumps | 0.835 | 65.3% | 89.3% |
US lumps
AUC0.835
Sensitivity65.3%
Specificity89.3%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean synovial WBC count, SF with vs without lumps
- SF with lumps had a lower mean WBC count (1,043 vs. 8,644 cells/mm³, p=0.0001)
Prevalence of non-inflammatory effusion
- Non-inflammatory effusion
- 54 patients (50%)
- US lumps present
- 40 patients (37%)
- Non-inflammatory SF among those with lumps
- 85%
Original publication
Ultrasound-detected lumps in synovial fluid, a sonographic finding associated with non-inflammatory joint effusion. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 25 January 2025. doi:10.
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