Objective. To evaluate the extent of intraarticular vascularization and pannus formation in metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by high-resolution ultrasound (US).Methods. A newly developed, high-resolution multidimensional linear array US was utilized to obtain longitudinal and transverse scans of joints with active RA (n ؍ 21), moderately active RA (n ؍ 39), or inactive RA (n ؍ 93), and of joints from healthy controls (n ؍ 120).Results. Healthy joints had no detectable pannus, whereas pannus could be detected in 52% of the joints with active RA, 82% of the joints with moderately active RA, and 67% of the joints with inactive RA. There was a significant difference in vascularization in the joints of all subgroups of RA patients and those of healthy subjects (P < 0.001). Moreover, vascularization differed significantly among the RA subgroups: inactive versus moderately active RA (P < 0.02) and inactive versus active RA (P < 0.05). Both pannus and vascularization appeared to be localized preferentially on the radial side of the joints.Conclusion. Evaluation of pannus and the extent of vascularization within the joints of patients with RA by high-resolution US might be helpful in the assessment of disease activity, and thus influence therapeutic strategies.
The aim of this study was to compare the latest ultrasound-array technology to a conventional "high-resolution" transducer, modified MRI technique, and nerve conduction studies (NCS), in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In 19 normal wrists and 15 wrists with CTS, US with two different transducers was performed: a conventional linear-array transducer (LA) and a newly developed Multi-D linear-array transducer (MDA) were used. The US images were evaluated determining the swelling and the flattening ratios of the median nerve and correlated to respective findings in MRI (1.5 T) and to NCS. The NCS confirmed CTS in all 15 wrists. Measures of median nerve compression (swelling and flattening ratios) were significantly different in patients with CTS and controls (p < 0.01) with both types of US transducers and MRI. The MDA yielded higher correlation to MRI than the LA. Using critical values of 1.3 for the swelling and 3.4 for the flattening ratio, MRI, and US with the MDA yielded a sensitivity of 100% each. Modern imaging modalities allow for an exact diagnosis of CTS even in cases with only slight median nerve pathology.
The novel CDU technique presented here makes it possible to discriminate between pRP and sRP and to quantify vascular changes in CTD patients.
Through high-performance computer processing it has become possible to realize a new ultrasound imaging process: SieScape imaging. This method provides extended field of view images in real time using successive ultrasound images obtained when a standard transducer is scanned over a distance of up to 60 cm without any position sensor. SieScape offers new possibilities to view topographical anatomy. It is especially advantageous for scanning extended and tubular structures as well as large and enlarged organs and big pathologic volumes. Parallel scanning sequences allow documentation comparable to that of computed tomography. In addition, just as in magnetic resonance, variable imaging planes can be realized. The following describes the results obtained with SieScape in a multitude of clinical applications, especially in examinations of throat, thoracic and abdominal walls, breast, and intraabdominal organs as well as the soft tissues and small vessels of the extremities. The experience gathered with SieScape imaging--its advantages as well as its potential limitations, such as the formation of artefacts--is described.
Purpose Color Doppler sonography has gained considerable recognition as a noninvasive method to detect carotid artery disease and to assess the degree of carotid artery stenosis. However, results are highly operator‐dependent and cannot be presented as survey images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate real‐time 3‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler sonography as a method for screening for atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries. Methods We prospectively screened 75 patients for carotid artery disease using both conventional color Doppler sonography and 3D power Doppler sonography, and the results from the 2 modalities were compared. A total of 150 common carotid arteries, 150 internal carotid arteries, and 150 external carotid arteries were examined utilizing a 7.5‐MHz linear‐array transducer combined with tissue harmonic imaging. Results Color Doppler sonography detected 297 normal or atherosclerotic arteries without stenosis, 57 arteries with mild (1–49%) stenosis, 41 with moderate (50–69%) stenosis, 32 with severe (70–99%) stenosis, and 9 with occlusions. The degree of stenosis determined by color Doppler sonography correlated with that determined by 3D power Doppler sonography (r = 0.982–0.998). Moreover, there was a good correlation between the measurements for both the length of the lesion and its distance from the bulb as determined by the 3D volume surveys and by color Doppler sonography (r = 0.986). The interobserver variability rate was 3.7% ± 0.5%. Generally, the acquisition and reconstruction of the 3D data took less than 5 minutes. Conclusions 3D power Doppler sonography is easy to perform and is an accurate method in screening for atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid arteries. Moreover, it provides excellent 3D volume surveys that may be helpful in the planning of surgical treatment. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 28:441–451, 2000.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.