[Synovitis in familial Mediterranean fever].

Arthroscopy done on a 24-year-old turkish male with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and arthritis of the knee joint provided morphological data during the acute stage of FMF-arthritis. Main finding is a heavy granulocytic infiltration of the subsynovial stratum, similar to that seen in non-specific purulent inflammation, accompanied by marked ectasis and hyperaemia of the synovial vessels. In the microbiologically sterile synovial fluid cell counts and lactate values are found as in bacterial arthritis. The typical history and the characteristic course of the disease are indicators for the diagnosis. Serological, immunological and radiological findings are non-specific. The efficacy of prophylactic colchicine in symptomatic therapy could be verified but it is essential that the drug is taken regularly and that the patient is instructed accordingly. Investigation of other members of the family showed a high frequency of intermarriages and the presence of this autosomal-recessive inherited disease in three generations.