Dataset Information

Quantitative ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of inflammation by Doppler technique.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate ultrasonographic methods, including the Doppler technique, as measures of synovial inflammation in finger joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

Ultrasonography was performed with a high frequency transducer (13 MHz). Evaluation of the sonographic data was conducted by two independent observers and included measurement of synovial area and thickness (grey tone ultrasound), vascularisation (power/colour Doppler), and indices of the intra- and extrasynovial arterial flow (spectral Doppler). The flow pattern was estimated by the indices of pulsatility (PI) and resistance (RI).

Results

The sonographic measurements of joint space were reproducible with intraobserver, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) 0.82-0.97 (p<0.0001) and interobserver ICC 0.81 (p<0.0001). The mean (SD) fraction of the synovium vascularised in the patients was 0.15 (0.15). The synovial blood flow was characterised by a diastolic flow-that is, the flow persisting during the diastole. The mean (SD) PI was 1.92 (1.18) and RI 0.70 (0.13). The estimated vascular fraction correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r(s)=0.53, p=0.03). The relative Pi (rPi), an estimate of an abnormally low resistance to vascularisation, correlated with both ESR (r(s)=-0.557, p<0.05) and Health Assessment Questionnaire score (r(s)=-0.584, p<0.05). After an injection of contrast Levovist the vascular fraction increased, while no difference in PI and RI was observed.

Conclusion

Ultrasonography is a reliable tool for estimating the size of the joint space and the synovial activity measured by the degree of vascularisation and pattern of flow. Ultrasonography may be useful in monitoring the synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

SUBMITTER: Qvistgaard E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1753744 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Quantitative ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of inflammation by Doppler technique.

Qvistgaard E E Røgind H H Torp-Pedersen S S Terslev L L Danneskiold-Samsøe B B Bliddal H H

Annals of the rheumatic diseases 20010701 7

<h4>Objective</h4>To evaluate ultrasonographic methods, including the Doppler technique, as measures of synovial inflammation in finger joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.<h4>Methods</h4>Ultrasonography was performed with a high frequency transducer (13 MHz). Evaluation of the sonographic data was conducted by two independent observers and included measurement of synovial area and thickness (grey tone ultrasound), vascularisation (power/colour Doppler), and indices of the intra- and ex ...[more]

PMID: 11406524

Similar Datasets

Project description:UnlabelledBackgroundIn juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the trend towards early therapeutic intervention and the development of new highly effective treatments have increased the need for sensitive and specific imaging. Numerous studies have demonstrated the important role of MRI and US in adult rheumatology. However, investigations of imaging in JIA are rare, and no previous study has been comparing MRI with Doppler ultrasonography (US) for assessment of arthritis. The aim of the present study was to compare the two imaging methods regarding their usefulness for evaluating disease activity in JIA, and to compare the results with those obtained in healthy controls.MethodsIn 10 JIA patients (median age 14 years, range 11-18), 11 joints (six wrists, three knees, two ankles) with arthritis were assessed by color Doppler US and MRI. The same imaging modalities were used to evaluate eight joints (three wrists, three knees, two ankles) in six healthy age- and sex-matched controls. The US examinations of both the patients and controls were compared with the MRI findings.ResultsIn 10 JIA patients, US detected synovial hypertrophy in 22 areas of 11 joints, 86% of which had synovial hyperemia, and MRI revealed synovitis in 36 areas of the same 11 joints. Erosions were identified by US in two areas of two joints and by MRI in six areas of four joints. Effusion was shown by US in nine areas of six joints and by MRI in 17 areas of five joints. MRI detected juxta-articular bone marrow edema in 16 areas of eight joints.ConclusionsThe results of this pilot study indicate that both MRI and US provide valuable imaging information on disease activity in JIA. Importantly, the two techniques seem to complement each other and give partly different information. Although MRI is considered to be the reference standard for advanced imaging in adult rheumatology, US seems to provide useful imaging information that could make it an option in daily clinical practice, in JIA as well as in adult rheumatology. However, the current work represents a pilot study, and thus our results need to be confirmed in a larger prospective clinical investigation.

Dataset Information

Quantitative ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of inflammation by Doppler technique.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Quantitative ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of inflammation by Doppler technique.

Similar Datasets

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