A synovial fluid with a normal WBC count from a patient with a normal serum uric acid contains extracellular birefringent crystals under polarized light.A possible reason for this finding is that the:
A) Specimen was anticoagulated with heparin
B) Patient has septic arthritis
C) Patient has gout
D) Specimen was collected in powdered ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Powdered EDTA can introduce artifacts that appear as birefringent crystals under polarized light, leading to a false impression of crystal presence.

A Synovial Fluid with a Normal WBC Count from a Patient