Table 2.

Morphological features of the scoring system used to grade the synovial specimens.

Hyperplasia of the synovial lining:

  • 0 = no thickening of synovial lining and no papillary formation

  • 1 = lining of 2–3 layers and/or suggestive papillary formation

  • 2 = lining of 3–4 layers and/or some formation of papillae

  • 3 = lining of 4–5 layers and/or definite papillary formation

  • 4 = lining of more than 5 layers and/or extensive papillary formation

Scoring for cellularity of the stroma:

  • 0 = apparent normal cellularity

  • 1 = minimally increased cellularity

  • 2 = mildly increased cellularity

  • 3 = moderately increased cellularity

  • 4 = markedly increased cellularity

Scoring for inflammation:

  • 0 = no apparent inflammatory response

  • 1 = a few lymphocytes and/or plasma cells

  • 2 = some lymphocytes and/or plasma cells

  • 3 = many lymphocytes and/or plasma cells

  • 4 = abundant lymphocytes and/or plasma cells

Scoring for vascularity:

  • 0 = apparent normal vascularity

  • 1 = increase of small vessels, predominantly at the base

  • 2 = increase of predominantly small vessels, some reaching into papillary formations

  • 3 = increase of vessels into papillary formations, larger vessels appearing at the base

  • 4 = larger vessels at base and extending into papillary formation

Scoring for lymphoid follicles:

  • 0 = no lymphoid follicles identified

  • 1= rare lymphoid follicles

  • 2 = scattered lymphoid follicles, predominantly at the base

  • 3 = some lymphoid follicles at base and within papillary formations

  • 4 = many lymphoid follicles at base and within papillary formations