Intraarticular fragmentation of a new Parker-Pearson synovial biopsy needle.

An attempt to obtain a synovial biopsy with a previously unused Parker-Pearson needle resulted in intraarticular fragmentation of the tip of the biopsy needle. Since gross inspection of the needle carried out before the procedure did not show any abnormalities, we believe that the manufacturer's material might be defective and that the inner part of this instrument must be made stronger to avoid this complication.