Table 4.

Characteristics of the different techniques used for obtaining a synovial sampling from different joints.

	Standard arthroscopy	Needle arthroscopy	Ultrasound needle biopsy	Blind needle biopsy
Technical issues
Synovial sampling success rates	+++	++	++	+
Technically simple	+	++	++	+++
General issues
Acceptability	++	+++	+++	+++
Serial biopsies	+++	+++	+	+
Costs	+++	+++	++	+
Target joints
Large Joints	+++	+++	+++	+++
Small Joints	++	+++	+++	+