Essentials 1 Polyarthritis is a common adult rheumatological presentation with a wide differential diagnosis. 2 Recording articular and extra-articular involvement facilitates decision making, particularly with regards to patient admission. 3 Joint aspiration is paramount for both diagnosis and excluding a…
Essentials 1 Presenting features alone, including absence of fever, do not reliably exclude a septic arthritis, especially in older people and those who are immunosuppressed. 2 Synovial aspirate in appropriate pathology transport media should be performed prior to commencing antibiotics…
Essentials 1 Rheumatological emergencies relate to the disease, extra-articular manifestations of the disease or toxicity from treatment. 2 Infection must be considered and promptly treated in patients on antirheumatic and immunosuppressive medication, including those on biological therapies. Introduction Rheumatological conditions…