Feasibility Studies in the In Vivo Measurement of Iron in Synovial Membrane

Rheumathoid arthritis is a widespread and currently incurable disease. Its most obvious symptom is inflammation o£ the synovial joints; it also results in a reduced life expectancy. Certain principles of structure are common to all synovial joints (Fig. 1). They are formed by two bones in apposition, the ends being capped with a smooth surface of hyaline cartilage. The bones are held together by a sleeve, formed from an outer fibrous membrane …