Nuclear fibrous lamina in the rheumatoid synovium.

Biopsy specimens of synovial membrane were obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and from patients with nonrheumatoid conditions. Comparison of the mean thickness of the lamina in the rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid groups showed a statistically significant thickening of the lamina in the rheumatoid group (rho less than .01). There was no statistically significant difference in the thickness of the lamina before and after chrysotherapy.