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Videos in Clinical Medicine
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Volume 354:e19 May 11, 2006 Number 19
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Arthrocentesis of the Knee
Todd W. Thomsen, M.D., Sam Shen, M.D., Robert W. Shaffer, M.D., and Gary S. Setnik, M.D.

Since this article has no abstract, below are the first 100 words from the narration of this Video in Clinical Medicine and its chapter headings.

 
 

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Figure 1
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Diagnostically, arthrocentesis is indicated to rule out septic arthritis in individuals presenting with a single or several inflamed joints. Arthrocentesis can also be used to differentiate between crystal arthropathies, such as gout and pseudogout, inflammatory and noninflammatory effusions, and hemarthroses. It should be emphasized that a single inflamed joint should almost always undergo at least one diagnostic aspiration. Therapeutically, arthrocentesis may be performed to drain large effusions, hemarthroses, or to inject steroids or local anesthetic. Arthrocentesis should be avoided in patients with cellulitis overlying the site of needle entry, out of concern of seeding the joint cavity with bacteria. Known . . . . View Video

Chapters:

  • Introduction
  • Indications
  • Contraindications
  • Equipment
  • Anatomy & approach
  • Joint aspiration
  • Synovial-fluid analysis
  • Complications

 
References

  1. Baker DG, Schumacher HR Jr. Acute monoarthritis. N Engl J Med 1993;329:1013-1020. [Free Full Text]
  2. Parrillo SJ, Fisher J. Arthrocentesis. In: Roberts JR, Hedges J, eds. Clinical procedures in emergency medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 2004:1042-57.
  3. Roberts WN, Hayes CW, Breitbach SA, Owen DS Jr. Dry taps and what to do about them: a pictorial essay on failed arthrocentesis of the knee. Am J Med 1996;100:461-464. [CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  4. Shmerling RH. Synovial fluid analysis: a critical reappraisal. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1994;20:503-512. [Web of Science][Medline]
  5. Li SF, Henderson J, Dickman E, Darzynkiewicz R. Laboratory test in adults with monoarticular arthritis: can they rule out a septic joint? Acad Emerg Med 2004;11:276-280. [CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]
  6. Swan A, Amer H, Dieppe P. The value of synovial fluid assays in the diagnosis of joint disease: a literature survey. Ann Rheum Dis 2002;61:493-498. [Free Full Text]

Related Letters:

Arthrocentesis Video
Disla E., Thomsen T. W., Setnik G. S.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2006; 355:631, Aug 10, 2006. Correspondence



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