Ultrasonographic diagnosis of articular synovitis in hands

Objective In order to confirm the value of early diagnosis in the rheumatoid arthritis using high resolution freguency(HFUS) ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasund. Methods Eight hundred limb joints of Rheumatoid arthritis in 40 patients and four hundred limb joints in 20 healthy volunteers were studied. In these joints including wrist, metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, the ultrasonographic characteristics and blood flows in the joints were checked with HFUS. Both right and left side joints were compared each other in every cases. GE System Logiq-9 unit with computed color-coded Doppler sonography system and 10.0 MHz high frepuency linear-array transducer was applied. Sonographic examination was performed directly or indirectly on the surface of the body. Results The ultrasonic characteristics in rheumatoid arthritis included hydrarthrodial effusion, synovial thickening, and increased vasculature. Hydrarthrodial effusion was found in 578 joints and the positive detected rate was 72.25% (578/800). Synovial thickening was in 498 joints with positive detected rate of 62.25%(498/800). Vascular hypergenesis was found in 140 joints(17.50% 140/800). On power Doppler ultrasonography and color Doppler, mild to marked hyperemia was identified as spot-, rod-, or streak-like signals. Conclusions High-resolution ultrasonography is an easy, safe and effective method for the early diagnosis of synovitis in small joints in rheumatoid arthritis.[JP4]