Lipid synovial effusion unique occurrence in systemic lupus erythematosus

A patient who had systemic lupus erythematosus developed an acute synovitis symptomatically resembling septic arthritis: however, the synovial effusion was chylous, a unique occurrence. Significant differences, quantitatively and qualitatively, between the lipids of the blood and those of the synovial fluid suggested the possibility of synthesis of the lipids in synovial tissues.