Chylous arthritis.

Twenty-five cases of the above form of "septic" arthritis admitted to two orthopaedic departments in Pondicherry during 1965-7 were studied. Complete physical and radiological examinations were carried out. In addition to routine blood and urine examinations, blood lipid, serum protein, and blood culture were carried out. The " pus " aspirated from the joint was examined biochemically and bacteriologically. Estimation of lipids in the point aspirate presented initial difficulties, as with the addition of ether a gel was formed, trapping the lipid particles. This difficulty was solved by treating the fluid with a 3: 1 alcohol-ether mixture which precipitated the proteins. The lipid in the supernatant fluid was then estimated (Oser, 1965). Histopathological examination of the inflamed synovia in 10 cases and lymphographic studies in five patients were carried out to discover abnormalities, if any, in the lymphatic system.