Polyarthritis and its differential diagnosis

Abstract

Polyarthritis is a term used when at least five joints are affected with arthritis. Several different diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to infection diseases can lead to polyarthritis. Anamnesis, physical examination, laboratory findings and imaging methods are important tools to differential diagnosis.

Figure 1

Palmoplantar skin rash in a syphilis patient with polyarthritis.

Figure 2

Symmetrical enlargement of wrists and proximal interphalangeal joints. Her percutaneous synovial biopsy with amyloid deposits confirmed by Congo red staining. Hematoxylin-eosin staining; original magnification 640.