High-resolution digital videomicroscopy: synovial fluid in gout
De Angelis R, Grassi W, Cervini C. Department of Rheumatology, University of Ancona, Italy


High-resolution digital videomicroscopy allows a clearly evident assessment of both intra-cellular and extra-cellular monosodium urate crystals without polarized light. The dynamic sequence of the phagocytosis of crystals by polymorphonuclear leukocytes was detected and stored. Equipment: Microscope LAB 16 (Leitz); Digital videocamera SSC DC38 (Sony); Video-tape recorder "time laps" S-VHS SVTS 3000 (Sony); Digital Still recorder DKR 700P (Sony).

Figure 1 Intra-cellular monosodium urate crystals.
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Figure 2 Extra-cellular crystal: coming on of a neutrophil leukocyte.
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Figure 3 Contact beetwen crystal and leukocyte.
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Figure 4 First phase of phagocytosis.
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Figure 5 Phagocytosis in progress.
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Figure 6 Last step of phagocytosis.
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Reference
De Angelis R, Grassi W. La videomicroscopia digitale ad alta risoluzione nello studio del liquido sinoviale nella gotta. Il Reumatologo 1997; 18:122-123.