Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 29

Synovial fluid crystals that occur as a result of purine metabolism or chemotherapy for leukemia are:

A. Monosodium urate

B. Cholesterol

C. Calcium pyrophosphate

D. Apatite

Step 1 of 2

Synovial fluid crystals: Synovial or movable joints have a hollow space filled with viscous fluid termed as synovial or joint fluid.

• Synovial fluid analysis in the laboratory is frequently performed to examine the parameters such as white blood cells (WBC) count, differential, gram stain, culture, and crystal formation examination.

• From the above parameters crystal formation identification is an essential diagnostic test used to evaluate arthritis.

• There are two types of crystals visible in synovial fluid. They are,

o Monosodium urate (uric acid)

o Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate.

• Increased monosodium urate is related to gout and it is formed as a result of impaired metabolism of purines, consumption of foods with high purine content or chemotherapy treatment for leukemia which are causes for gout.

Therefore, “monosodium urate” is the synovial fluid crystal formed as outcome of impaired metabolism of purines or chemotherapy treatment for leukemia. Hence, the correct answer is option .