A STUDY ON PO,_WER- DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPH FOR ASSESSMENT OF METACARPOP HALANGEAL JOlNTS SYNOVlTlS lN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID, ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the value of Power Doppler Ultrasonography (PDUS) in the detection of inflammatory activity in the metacarpophalangeal joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to correlate the results with the clinical and laboratory parameters of the disease activity as well as with plain radiography.

Patients and methods:

Twenty -eight adult female patients with rheumatoid arthritis were assessed by full history taking, complete clinical examination, routine laboratory investigation, plain radiography of both hands and power Doppler Ultrasongraphy examination of the metacarpophalangeal joints

from the 2"d to the 51

in each hand.

Results:

Results showed that out of 28 patients examined (224 examined MCPs)

the following were found:

Increased vascularity was detected in (14.29 %) of patients and in (2.68

%) MCPs . Pannus was detected in (71.43 %) of patients and in (26.79 %)ofMCPs. Erosions were detected in (42.86 %) of patients and in (14.29 %) of

MCPs.

Effusion was detected in (17.86 %) of patients and in (8.04 %) ofMCPs

Thickening of tendon sheath was detected in (21.43 %) of patients and in

(6.25 %) ofMCPs.

No abnormalities were detected by PDUS in the control group