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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2012; 16(05): 360-366
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1329879
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Technique and Application of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis and Management of Inflammatory Arthritis

Emma L. Rowbotham
1   Department of Radiology, Royal United Hospital, Bath, United Kingdom
,
Richard J. Wakefield
2   Department of Rheumatology, LIMM, University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
,
Andrew J. Grainger
3   Department of Radiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
4   Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 December 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Ultrasound is increasingly used by radiologists and rheumatologists for the diagnosis and assessment of inflammatory arthritis in day-to-day clinical practice. It is ideally suited to demonstrating early changes of these conditions before they are evident using conventional radiography or indeed clinical examination. Ultrasound readily demonstrates synovitis, effusion, soft tissue changes, and some bone features (including erosion and enthesophyte formation) of inflammatory arthritis. It also provides a way to quantify disease activity. This article reviews the ultrasound imaging features of the inflammatory arthritides and techniques involved. It also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound as opposed to magnetic resonance imaging.

Keywords

ultrasound - synovitis - erosion - rheumatoid arthritis
 

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