1,720,973 research outputs found
Chondrocalcinosis: Sonographic study of the knee
Full text linkSonography of the knee was performed in 28 patients with chondrocalcinosis and in 46 normal subjects. In each joint the authors examined synovial membrane, articular cartilage of femoral condyles, synovial fluid and menisci; they also searched for Baker's cysts. A significant thickening of synovial membrane was present. In 43 joints sonography showed linear hyperechoic images within condylar cartilage; they were parallel to bone surface and were interpreted as calcifications because of the coincidence with radiographic images. A significant thinning of articular cartilage was also found. Sonography of the knee is a useful method of examination for the evaluation of articular changes in chondrocalcinosis
Usefulness of high resolution US in the evaluation of effusion in osteoarthritic first carpometacarpal joint
No full textObjective: The aim of this study is to provide a reproducible and quantitative sonographic method for evaluation of effusion in the first carpometacarpal joint in osteoarthritis. Methods: High resolution sonography of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb was earned out in 20 normal joints and in 57 joints from patients with osteoarthritis. A 10 MHz transducer was used. Results: The articular cavity appeared as a hypoechoic triangular area. In normal joints the mean values obtained by measuring the distance between the apex and the base of the triangle was 2.89 mm (SD 0.22). In osteoarthritic joints it was significantly increased (p<0.001). The authors assert that the presence of effusion is very likely if the value is greater than or equal to 3.33 mm (mean+2 SD). Conclusions: Sonography provides useful. reproducible, and quantitative data for detection of effusion within the first carpometacarpal joint
SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF FEMORAL CONDYLAR CARTILAGE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS
Full text linkEmploying a real-time sonographic scanner with a 5 MHz linear probe, the articular cartilage of the knee was studied in four groups of subjects: normal subjects aged 18-36 years and 50-63 years, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Cartilage thickness was diminished both in RA and in OA knees compared to the two groups of normal joints, even if in RA the reduction was less. The cartilage surface appeared irregular more frequently in OA than in RA. Our survey suggests that the sonographic technique is a useful, non-invasive diagnostic method to study the articular cartilage of the knee
Sonography in the study of metatarsalgia
No full textObjective.To identify sonographically the changes of the forefoot in patients with metatarsalgia. Methods.Sonography of the foot was performed in 112 patients with metatarsalgia and in 50 healthy controls. Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, intermetatarsal web spaces, flexor and extensor tendons, and plantar aponeurosis were examined. Results.Sonography showed intermetatarsophalangeal bursitis in 20.5% of cases, Morton’s neuroma in 15.2%, and effusion of MTP joints in 11.7%. Conclusion. Sonography gives useful information about the possible alteration responsible for metatarsalgia
Knee joint synovitis in Sjögren's syndrome. Sonographic study
No full textUltrasound detects effusion and synovial proliferation caused by synovitis. The study was undertaken to evaluate the signs of synovitis in patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome (SS). Joint effusion was detected and synovial thickness was measured in the suprapatellar synovial bursa. Results have been compared with those obtained by sonographic assessment of knee joint in patients with secondary SS and RA, with secondary SS and connective tissue diseases, with RA, and in healthy subjects. Synovial thickening was demonstrated in all the diseases (higher grades of thickening were found in secondary SS with RA and in RA). Joint effusion was present with significantly higher frequency in secondary SS with RA and in RA. Results demonstrated signs of slight synovitis in primary SS. More severe synovitis was found both in secondary SS with RA and in RA. This is the first sonographic study demonstrating slight synovitis in primary SS
Power Doppler sonography in knee arthritis--a pilot study
No full textWe compared power Doppler sonography to laboratory indices of disease activity in patients with knee arthritis to determine the clinical relevance of hypervascularity. Eight healthy volunteers and 22 patients with symptoms and signs of knee arthritis were studied. Presence or absence of hypervascularity, synovial thickening, effusion, and Baker's cysts were recorded. Disease activity was measured by erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein, α2-globulins, sideremia, hemoglobinemia, and serum white cell count. Various grades of synovial hyperemia were found in 12/22 cases. Patients with and without synovial hypervascularity showed statistically significant differences in age (P = 0.017), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P = 0.039), hemoglobinemia (P = 0.009), and sideremia (P = 0.012). Power Doppler sonography is able to demonstrate synovial hyperemia, which is correlated with some laboratory indices of inflammation
Knee joint synovitis in Behcet's disease: a sonographic study
No full textObjective. The aim of this study was to investigate, using ultrasound (US), knee involvement in patients with Behcets disease (BD). Methods. Knee US was performed in 30 unselected Italian BD patients. Signs of arthritis (joint effusion, synovial proliferation) and presence of bone erosions and Baker's cysts were recorded. Power Doppler evaluation was performed. A semi-quantitative score was used for each structure examined, whereby 0 was to indicate the absence of any change and score from 1 to 3 the presence of mild to severe changes. A sum of the single scores was obtained. Disease activity was evaluated to identify the correlation with the US modifications. Results. Twenty (66.6%) patients had symptomatic articular involvement and US showed knee involvement in 18 of them (60%). Synovial proliferation was detected in 14 (46%, positive power Doppler in 4), joint effusion in 14 (46%), bone surface erosions in 3 (10%). Four patients, asymptomatic for joint involvement, showed US alterations. Eleven patients showed a total score between 1 and 3, while the other 7 had a score between 4 and 6. Subjects with a higher US score presented an increased prevalence of acneiform skin lesions with respect to the group with US score 1-3. Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between disease activity and US score in group 2 (p=0.04). Conclusion. This study confirms that peripheral joint involvement represents an important clinical aspect in italian BD patients and US evaluation is useful for the detection of this aspect
Intra-articular somatostatin 14 reduces synovial thickness in rheumatoid arthritis: An ultrasonographic study
Full text linkSixteen patients with RA (3 males, 13 females), diagnosed according to RA revised criteria, were selected and entered the study. They underwent six intra-articular injections of 750 mcg of SST14 at 15-day intervals. The thickness of the synovial membrane (SM) was measured with a 5-MHz linear sound with longitudinal and transversal scanning carried out on the upper patellar cavity. The contralateral knee was also assessed together with the injected knee in order to ascertain any systemic effect of the drug. A significant reduction of SM thickness was observed already at the first control (T3) in 14 out of 16 patients. At the 5th and 6th injections (T5 and T6) the reduction was still significant but to a lower extent. In 8 out of 16 cases a reduction of SM thickness was observed in the contralateral knee. Analysis of these data clearly shows that the intra-articular injection of SST14 is able to reduce the thickness of SM in patients with RA, and indicates that SST14 may directly reduce synovitis. This particularity has been detected in our work with a non-invasive technique such as the joint ultra-sound (US). In conclusion, our work confirms the efficacy of SST14 in the control of RA synovial hypertrophy and the reliability of US technique in the measurement of SM thickness
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