On the origin of rice bodies with apatite crystals

We read with interest the article of Li-Yu et al on synovial rice bodies containing calcium hydroxyapatite crystals.1 From their findings the authors assume that the pathogenesis of this “apparently” rare coincidence of fibrin with bone-like apatite crystals remains unexplained. A brief case report may give insight into the development of such a coincidence. A specimen taken at operation from the knee joint of a 55 year old woman with longstanding seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and rapid joint destruction owing to ischaemic bone necroses of the femoral and tibial compartment exhibited macroscopically a synovial membrane entirely …

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