Tenosynovitis and rheumatoid nodules in tendons of hands and feet using high frequency ultrasonography and ower doppler sonography

ABSTRACT

Evaluation of disease activity and therapeutic response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] was based largely on the clinical findings. Conventional sonography provides accurate method for identification of the tendons changes with RA. The study included 69 patients with RA. Sonographic examination of the tendons in both hands and feet was performed by using B-mode real-time machines [ACUSON SEQUOIA 512, probe 7.5 MHZ]. Rheumatoid nodu1es were detected in 15 patients [21.7%]. The flexor tendons were affected mainly by tenosynovitis and nodules. The ultrasonography identified the RA tendon nodules that can not be detected by clinical examination. Ultrasonography shou1d be considered the screening procedure of choice for the diagnosis of rheumatoid inpalpable nodules in the tendons of hands and feet. It gives good information about the inflammatory synovitis and general idea about the tendon texture, that provides an objective assessment of the treatment efficacy