Value of high resolution ultrasound in studying bone erosions of target joints in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract EN

Objective : to demonstrate the diagnostic efficacy of high resolution ultrasonography in depicting erosions of the small joints in RA patients and to compare sonographer and radiographic findings.

Methodology : Forty finger joints (second MCP and fifth MCP) of 20 RA patients were examined with high resolution ultrasonography in addition to conventional radiography.

Results : High resolution US detected sinusitis in 20 finger joints (50 %).

Tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon sheath was depicted in 9 patients.

The number of erosions in the 40 joints examined was 38.

The number of patients with erosions in joints examined was 16 patients.

So, its sensitivity was 100 %, specificity 45 % and overall accuracy was 61 % as compared to conventional radiography.

The number of erosions detected in examined joints were 16 from 40 joints.

The number of patients with erosions was 6 patients only.

Juxta-articular osteoporosis was detected in 15 patients.

Conclusion : We concluded that high resolution U / S allows a safe, quick, inexpensive and accurate identification of small bone erosions in early RA patients.

This is crucial for both prognosis and treatment strategy.