[The assessment of the value of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing hand joint arthritis].

The main imaging investigation used in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis is radiography of the hands and feet. It allows visualisation of bone erosions--typical of the disease. However, bone erosions occur during the later stages of the rheumatoid arthritis and are preceded by synovitis. The aims of the study were to use ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in examining joints in patients suffering from chronic arthritis, and also to assess the value of these methods in diagnostics. In 61 patients with chronic arthritis (39 with rheumatoid arthritis--RA, and 22 with another etiology arthritis), plain radiography, US and MRI of the hands was performed. MRI and US were more sensitivity in visualisation of bone erosions than plain radiography. Both methods showed synovitis in all patients with RA. In detecting bone erosions in the hand joints MRI and US are more sensitive methods than plain radiography. Both methods detect synovitis and tenosynovitis. Inflammatory changes shown using the MRI and US are more intensive in RA than in patients suffering from another etiology arthritis.