Name: Insong, Osannah Irish B.

Section: BSMT- 3C

Study Questions #19: Synovial Fluid Analysis

1.) In what tubes should synovial fluid be collected?

- Synovial fluid should be collected in the following tubes:
 Sterile heparinized tube or sodium polyanethol sulfonate tube for Gram
stain and culture
 Heparin or liquid EDTA for cell counts
 Sodium fluoride tube for glucose analysis
 Nonanticoagulated tubes for oher tests

2.) Why is the synovial fluid collected in liquid rather than powdered
anticoagulant?
- Synovial fluid must not be collected using powdered anticoagulants as these
produce artifacts that may interfere with crystal analysis.

3.) How is synovial fluid diluted when performing a WBC count? Why?
- When performing WBC count, clear fluids can actually be counted undiluted
but dilutions are necessary for turbid or bloody specimens. This is done by adding
NSS to the fluid and if it is necessary to lyse RBCs, a hypotonic saline(0.3%) or a
saline that contains saponin is the better option.

4.) What is the clinical significance of the following synovial fluid colors:

A.) Dark yellow: Presence of non-inflammatory and inflammatory effusions

B.) Milky: Presence of crystals
C.) Blood-streaked: Hemorrhagic arthritis or traumatic aspiration
D.) Green: Indication of bacterial infection