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
