MRI and ultrasonography for detection of early interphalangeal osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the interest of MRI and ultrasonography (US) in identifying early and advanced interphalangeal (IP) OA. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study including patients with symptomatic hand OA (n=33) and young healthy volunteers (n=26). Proximal and distal IP joints were graded according to Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grades. In OA patients, we separated IP joints into 2 groups: "at risk of OA" joints (potential early pre-radiographic OA joints, KL=0) and OA joints (KL=2-4). All IP joints from healthy participants were KL=0 and were considered strictly normal IP joints. Concurrently, synovitis, effusion, erosions, osteophytes, bone marrow lesions, cysts and cartilage space loss were graded by MRI and/or US. We assessed their prevalence, severity and diagnostic performance in hand OA and then compared normal IP joints from healthy participants and "at risk of OA" IP joints from OA patients as well as "at risk of OA" and OA IP joints from OA patients. RESULTS: The prevalence and grade of most MRI/US-detected lesions were higher in IP joints from OA patients than healthy participants. Except for osteophyte assessment, MRI seemed more sensitive than US. We found more MRI/US-detected lesions in "at risk of OA" IP joints than normal joints but also in OA than "at risk of OA" joints from OA patients. US appeared both sensitive and specific for detecting osteophytes in joints without radiographic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: MRI and US give good performance for detecting radiographic and pre-radiographic OA lesions and could be interesting tools to identify early hand OA.

The effect of tocilizumab on bone mineral density, serum levels of Dickkopf-1 and bone remodeling markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

UNLABELLED: Previous studies showed that the control of inflammation by biological therapies has a positive effect on bone in inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone remodeling of an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab (TCZ)) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: One hundred and three patients (75% women, 52±12years) with active RA were treated with TCZ 8mg/kg + methotrexate (MTX) every 4 weeks during 48 weeks. Hip and lumbar spine BMDs were measured at baseline and after 48 weeks by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Pro-collagen serum type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), and serum levels of total Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and sclerostin were assessed at baseline, 12 and 48 weeks. RESULTS: BMD was available for 76 patients at baseline and at the end of the study. There was no change in lumbar spine and hip BMD over 48 weeks. Serum PINP increased from baseline by 22% (P≤0.001) and 19% (P≤0.001) at week 12 and week 48, whereas serum CTX-I remained stable. Serum DKK-1 significantly decreased from baseline by -31% (P≤0.001) and -25% (P=0.025) at week 12 and 48. Similar results were observed in the patients receiving low doses of oral corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: In this 1-year prospective open study, patients with active RA receiving TCZ and MTX had no change in BMD, a decrease in serum DKK-1 and an increase in bone formation marker.

Factors influencing concordance between clinical and ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical joint examination (CJE) is less time-consuming than ultrasound (US) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Low concordance between CJE and US would indicate that the 2 tests provide different types of information. Knowledge of factors associated with CJE/US concordance would help to select patients and joints for US. Our objective was to identify factors associated with CJE/US concordance. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with RA requiring tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antagonist therapy were included in a prospective, multicenter cohort. In each patient, 38 joints were evaluated. Synovitis was scored using CJE, B-mode US (B-US), and power Doppler US (PDUS). Joints whose kappa coefficient (κ) for agreement CJE/US was < 0.1 were considered discordant. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with CJE/US concordance, defined as factors yielding p < 0.05 and OR > 2. RESULTS: Concordance before TNF-α antagonist therapy varied across joints for CJE/US (κ = -0.08 to 0.51) and B-US/PDUS (κ = 0.30 to 0.67). CJE/US concordance was low at the metatarsophalangeal joints and shoulders (κ < 0.1). Before TNF-α antagonist therapy, a low 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) was associated with good CJE/B-US concordance, and no factors were associated with CJE/PDUS concordance. After TNF-α antagonist therapy, only the joint site was associated with CJE/B-US concordance; joint site and short disease duration were associated with CJE/PDUS concordance. CONCLUSION: Concordance between CJE and US is poor overall. US adds information to CJE, most notably at the metatarsophalangeal joints and shoulders. Usefulness is decreased for B-US when DAS28 is low and for PDUS when disease duration is short.

The ability of synovitis to predict structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis: a comparative study between clinical examination and ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate synovitis (clinical vs ultrasound (US)) to predict structural progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients with RA. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, 2-year follow-up. DATA COLLECTED: Synovitis (32 joints (2 wrists, 10 metacarpophalangeal, 10 proximal interphalangeal, 10 metatarsophalangeal)) at baseline and after 4 months of therapy by clinical, US grey scale (GS-US) and power doppler (PD-US); x-rays at baseline and at year 2. ANALYSIS: Measures of association (OR) were tested between structural deterioration and the presence of baseline synovitis, or its persistence, after 4 months of therapy using generalised estimating equation analysis. RESULTS: Structural deterioration was observed in 9% of the 1888 evaluated joints in 59 patients. Baseline synovitis increased the risk of structural progression: OR=2.01 (1.36-2.98) p<0.001 versus 1.61 (1.06-2.45) p=0.026 versus 1.75 (1.18-2.58) p=0.005 for the clinical versus US-GS versus US-PD evaluation, respectively. In the joints with normal baseline examination (clinical or US), an increased probability for structural progression in the presence of synovitis for the other modality was also observed (OR=2.16 (1.16-4.02) p=0.015 and 3.50 (1.77-6.95) p<0.001 for US-GS and US-PD and 2.79 (1.35-5.76) p=0.002) for clinical examination. Persistent (vs disappearance) synovitis after 4 months of therapy was also predictive of subsequent structural progression. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the validity of synovitis for predicting subsequent structural deterioration irrespective of the modality of examination of joints, but also suggests that both clinical and ultrasonographic examinations may be relevant to optimally evaluate the risk of subsequent structural deterioration.

Prediction of radiographic damage in early arthritis by sonographic erosions and power Doppler signal: a longitudinal observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of ultrasonography (US) to predict radiographic damage in early arthritis. METHODS: ESPOIR is a multicentric cohort of early arthritis (i.e., ≥2 swollen joints between 6 weeks and 6 months). US synovitis in B mode, power Doppler (PD) mode, and erosions were searched on the second through the fifth metacarpophalangeal and fifth metatarsophalangeal joints according to Outcome Measures in Rheumatology definitions. Structural radiographic progression was assessed using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde erosion score (SHS) at baseline and 1 and 2 years. Predictive factors of erosive arthritis at 2 years and rapid radiographic progression (RRP) at 1 year (defined by change of SHS ≥5) were searched. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were included, with a mean ± SD Disease Activity Score in 28 joints of 5.1 ± 1.3; 37.6% were anti-citrullinated protein antibody positive and 27.6% had typical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) erosions on radiographs. At 2 years, 42 patients (39.2%) had typical RA erosions. US erosions predicted radiographic evidence of erosive arthritis (odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.04-1.98). PD synovitis score was predictive of RRP at 1 year (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.42). US erosions and PD synovitis scores were associated with change of SHS on linear regression. Of the 1,184 analyzed joints, 105 (8.9%) had radiographic erosion at 1 year. At the joint level, baseline US erosions were predictive of the presence of radiographic erosions at 1 year (P < 0.001). The same trend was observed in the joints without radiographic erosions at baseline (P = 0.052). CONCLUSION: US is useful to evaluate the potential severity of early arthritis: US erosions and PD-positive synovitis have prognostic value to predict future radiographic damage.

Power Doppler ultrasound, but not low-field magnetic resonance imaging, predicts relapse and radiographic disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low levels of disease activity.

OBJECTIVE: Subclinical inflammation and radiographic progression have been described in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients whose disease is in remission or is showing a low level of activity. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict relapse and radiographic progression in these patients. METHODS: Patients with RA of short or intermediate duration that was either in remission or exhibiting low levels of activity according to the Disease Activity Score (DAS) were included in the study. Over a period of 1 year, patients underwent clinical and biologic assessments every 3 months and radiographic assessments at baseline and 12 months. Radiographs were graded according to the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS). At baseline, patients underwent ultrasonography and MRI, which were graded using binary and semiquantitative scoring systems. Relapse was defined as a DAS of ≥2.4, and radiographic progression was defined as an increase in the SHS of ≥1. We tested the association of values by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 85 RA patients with a mean disease duration of 35.3 months were studied. RA was in remission in 47 of these patients, and 38 had low levels of disease activity. At 1 year, 26 of the 85 patients (30.6%) showed disease relapse, and 9 of the 85 patients (10.6%) showed radiographic progression. The baseline PD synovitis count (i.e., the number of joints at baseline for which the power Doppler [PD] signal indicated synovitis) predicted relapse (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.3; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.0-20.3), and the baseline PD synovitis grade predicted disease progression (adjusted OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.1-1.9]). MRI was not predictive of outcomes. CONCLUSION: For RA patients whose disease is in remission or who have low levels of disease activity, PD signals on ultrasonography could predict relapse or radiographic progression and identify those whose disease is adequately controlled, which is especially helpful when considering treatment tapering or interruption.

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography in healthy subjects and ultrasound criteria for early arthritis (the ESPOIR cohort).

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the occurrence of bone erosions and synovitis in healthy subjects detectable by ultrasound (US) and to establish US criteria for early arthritis. METHODS: Our study involved 127 healthy subjects matched with a cohort of patients with early arthritis (the ESPOIR cohort). The second and fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of both hands and feet were assessed with US to detect bone erosion; and the second, third, fourth, and fifth MCP and the fifth MTP were evaluated for synovial thickening in B-mode US and synovial vascularity in power Doppler. Bone erosion and synovitis were defined according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials consensus. RESULTS: Bone erosion and grade 2-3 synovial thickening in B-mode were detected in 11% and 9% of healthy subjects. To consider the diagnosis of early arthritis, a cutoff at 1 case of synovial thickening in B-mode enabled discrimination between patients with early arthritis and healthy subjects, with a good sensitivity of 74.8% (95% CI 67.2%-82.3%) and a high specificity of 90.5% (95% CI 85.4%-95.6%). If higher specificity is required to confirm the diagnosis of early arthritis, cutoff at 2 cases of synovial thickening in B-mode or at 2 cases of bone erosion gave optimal results, with specificity of 98.4% (95% CI 96.2%-100%) and 100%, respectively, and lower sensitivity of 59.8% (95% CI 51.2%-68.3%) and 17% (95% CI 10.5%-23.5%) (area under the curve = 0.85 for synovitis and 0.63 for bone erosion). Neither the combination of power Doppler signal plus bone erosion, nor bone erosions plus synovial thickening on the same joint, were seen in healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: A single case of bone erosion or synovial thickening in B-mode is common in healthy subjects. However, more than 1 case of synovial thickening in B-mode or bone erosion is a strong argument for the diagnosis of early inflammatory arthritis.

Ultrasound features of nonstructural lesions of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the hands in patients with finger osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the ultrasound features of nonstructural damage (effusions, synovitis, Doppler signal abnormalities) in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers in patients with finger osteoarthritis compared to healthy controls. METHODS: We included patients at a hospital-based outpatient rheumatology clinic who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for finger osteoarthritis and we compared them to healthy controls. Exclusion criteria were the same in both groups. We collected demographic data and symptoms. Ultrasonography (Esaote Technos machine, two sonographers) was performed in all participants in both groups and plain radiography in the patients only. The PIP and DIP joints on fingers 2 to 5 were evaluated. Ultrasound features were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: We included 55 patients (51 women; 440 PIPs and 440 DIPs) and 46 healthy controls (368 PIPs and 368 DIPs). The rate of PIP joint effusion was similar in the two groups (patients, 2.05±2.03; controls, 1.6±1.7; P>0.05), whereas the rate of DIP effusion was significantly higher in the patients (2.09±1.87 versus 0±0.6 in the controls; P<0.05). Increased vascularization by Doppler evaluation was rare and occurred chiefly in the DIP joints of the patients. None of the participants in either group had synovitis. The ultrasound abnormalities were not significantly different between right- and left-handed individuals, and neither did they correlate with clinical disease expression or severity of the radiographic damage.

Reproducibility of joint swelling assessments in long-lasting rheumatoid arthritis: influence on Disease Activity Score-28 values (SEA-Repro study part I).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reproducibility of clinical synovitis assessments in rheumatoid arthritis and the effect of variability on the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28). METHODS: Seven healthcare professionals from different cities examined the same patients with active non-early rheumatoid arthritis (RA; duration > 4 yrs), for whom a treatment change was being considered. There was no training session and the examination was to be performed as quickly as possible. The healthcare professionals assessed the 28 joints of the DAS28 in 7 patients (196 joints), then reexamined the same 28 joints in 4 of these 7 patients (112 joints), who had been rendered unrecognizable. Then 7 sonographers examined each of the 7 patients twice, using B-mode and power Doppler ultrasound (PD). The reference standards were presence of synovitis according to at least 50% of clinical examiners and 50% of sonographers. Agreement was assessed by Cohen's kappa statistic. RESULTS: Intraobserver reliability ranged from 0.31 (least experienced research technician) to 0.77 (most experienced physician). Interobserver reliability ranged from 0.18 to 0.62. The largest difference between the lowest and the highest swollen joint counts in the same patient was 15, and the greatest variation in the DAS28 score was 0.92. Agreement between clinical and sonographic reference standards was 0.46, 0.37, and 0.36 for B-mode, PD, and both, respectively. CONCLUSION: Clinical inter- and intraobserver reliability is highly dependent on the examiner. Consequences on the DAS28 score can be substantial. Agreement with sonography is poor when both B-mode and PD are used but seems better, although low, when B-mode is used alone.

Reproducibility of joint swelling assessment by sonography in patients with long-lasting rheumatoid arthritis (SEA-Repro study part II).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of B-mode and power Doppler (PD) sonography in patients with active long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comparatively with clinical data. METHODS: In each of 7 patients being considered for a change in their RA treatment regimen, 7 healthcare professionals examined the 28 joints used in the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count (DAS28). Then 7 sonographers examined each of the 7 patients twice, using previously published B-mode and PD grading systems. The clinical reference standard was presence of synovitis according to at least 4/7 examiners. The sonographic reference standard was at least grade 1 (ALG1) or 2 (ALG2) synovitis according to at least 4/7 sonographers. Interobserver reproducibility of sonography was assessed versus the sonographer having the best intraobserver reproducibility. Agreement was measured by Cohen's kappa statistic. RESULTS: Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of B-mode and PD used separately was fair to good. Agreement between clinicians and sonographers at all sites using B-mode, PD, and both was 0.46, 0.37, and 0.36, respectively, for grade 1 synovitis; and 0.58, 0.19, and 0.19 for grade 2 synovitis. The number of joints with synovitis was smaller by physical examination (36.7%) than by B-mode with ALG1 (58.6%; p < 0.001). The number of joints with synovitis was higher by physical examination than by PD with both ALG1 (17.8%; p < 0.0001) and ALG2 (6.6%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: PD findings explain most of the difference between clinical and sonographic joint assessments for synovitis in patients with long-standing RA.

Evaluation of several ultrasonography scoring systems for synovitis and comparison to clinical examination: results from a prospective multicentre study of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate different global ultrasonographic (US) synovitis scoring systems as potential outcome measures of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT) filter. METHODS: To study selected global scoring systems, for the clinical, B mode and power Doppler techniques, the following joints were evaluated: 28 joints (28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28)), 20 joints (metacarpophalangeals (MCPs) + metatarsophalangeals (MTPs)) and 38 joints (28 joints + MTPs) using either a binary (yes/no) or a 0-3 grade. The study was a prospective, 4-month duration follow-up of 76 patients with RA requiring anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy (complete follow-up data: 66 patients). Intraobserver reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), construct validity was evaluated using the Cronbach alpha test and external validity was evaluated using level of correlation between scoring system and C reactive protein (CRP). Sensitivity to change was evaluated using the standardised response mean. Discriminating capacity was evaluated using the standardised mean differences in patients considered by the doctor as significantly improved or not at the end of the study. RESULTS: Different clinimetric properties of various US scoring systems were at least as good as the clinical scores with, for example, intraobserver reliability ranging from 0.61 to 0.97 versus from 0.53 to 0.82, construct validity ranging from 0.76 to 0.89 versus from 0.76 to 0.88, correlation with CRP ranging from 0.28 to 0.34 versus from 0.28 to 0.35 and sensitivity to change ranging from 0.60 to 1.21 versus from 0.96 to 1.36 for US versus clinical scoring systems, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that US evaluation of synovitis is an outcome measure at least as relevant as physical examination. Further studies are required in order to achieve optimal US scoring systems for monitoring patients with RA in clinical trials and in clinical practice.

Benefits of ultrasonography in the management of early arthritis: a cross-sectional study of baseline data from the ESPOIR cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To assess ultrasonography's (US) performance to detect the structural damage in the initial evaluation of early arthritis (EA) using the Etude et Suivides Polyarthrites Indifférenciées Récentes (ESPOIR) cohort. METHODS: ESPOIR is a French, multi-centric EA cohort. Four centres assessed the structural damage by both X-ray and US examination at baseline. X-rays of hands and feet were read first by the centre's local investigator (usual reading), then in the X-ray coordinating centre (central reading). Four trained examiners performed US blindly from clinical data to detect erosions on the second and fifth MCP (MCP2 and 5) and the fifth MTP (MTP5) joints bilaterally. RESULTS: Patients' characteristics (n = 126) were: female 78%; mean age 50.3 years; disease duration 103 days; disease activity score on 28 joints 5; CRP level 22.7 mg/l; and 79.4% of the patients fulfilling RA ACR criteria. Twelve patients had missing data for X-rays. US revealed 42 (36.8%) patients with erosive disease, whereas radiography revealed only 30 (26%) with central reading and only 11% with usual reading. US missed erosive disease present in X-rays in 10 (8.8%) patients. Combined technique of both revealed 52 (45.6%) patients with erosive diseases. On the targeted joints, US detected erosion on 75 (11%) joints vs X-rays on only 11 (1.5%). Only three joints with erosion(s) detected on X-rays were missed on US. At baseline, the presence of PD activity was not associated with joint erosions. CONCLUSIONS: US on six joints detected 1.4-fold more patients with erosions (3.3-fold more with the usual reading). In clinical practice, US combined with X-rays is of helpful diagnostic value in EA.

Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in early diagnosis of metatarsal bone stress fractures: a pilot study of 37 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To date, early diagnosis of stress fractures depends on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or bone scan scintigraphy, as radiographs are usually normal at onset of symptoms. These examinations are expensive or invasive, time-consuming, and poorly accessible. A recent report has shown the ability of ultrasonography (US) to detect early stress fractures. Our objective was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of US versus dedicated MRI (0.2 Tesla), taken as the gold standard, in early diagnosis of metatarsal bone stress fractures. METHODS: A case-control study from November 2006 to December 2007 was performed. All consecutive patients with mechanical pain and swelling of the metatarsal region for less than 3 months and with normal radiographs were included. US and dedicated MRI examinations of the metatarsal bones were performed the same day by experienced rheumatologists with expertise in US and MRI. Reading was undertaken blind to the clinical assessment and MRI/US results. RESULTS: Forty-one feet were analyzed on US and dedicated MRI from 37 patients (28 women, 9 men, mean age 52.7 +/- 14.1 yrs). MRI detected 13 fractures in 12 patients. Sensitivity of US was 83%, specificity 76%, positive predictive value 59%, and negative predictive value 92%. Positive likehood ratio was 3.45, negative likehood ratio 0.22. CONCLUSION: In cases of normal radiographs, US is indicated in the diagnosis of metatarsal bone stress fractures, as it is a low cost, noninvasive, rapid, and easy technique with good sensitivity and specificity. From these data, we propose a new imaging algorithm including US.

High frequency of ultrasonographic effusion in interphalangeal joints of healthy subjects: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe echographic abnormalities on the proximal (PIP) and distal (DIP) interphalangeal joints of healthy subjects. METHODS: Healthy asymptomatic volunteers under forty were enrolled. Ultrasonography was performed on PIP and DIP 2-5 in the presence of two operators. In B mode, synovial hypertophy and effusion were defined with the OMERACT criteria. In power Doppler mode, the inflammatory activity was evaluated. RESULTS: 46 subjects were enrolled: mean age 25.5 years, 89% right handed. 368 PIPs and DIPs were scanned. Effusion was found in 19.6% of dominant PIPs versus 22.3% of non-dominant PIPs (p>0.05). Effusion could be uni- or bilateral. DIP effusion was less frequent (3% DIPs). Average size of effusion was 0.83+/-0.25 mm for PIP and 0.72+/-0.16 mm for DIP. CONCLUSION: Our study proposes a descriptive analysis of the PIP and the DIP joints. It confirms, with a bigger number of studied joints, the possible existence of a physiological effusion of the PIP of healthy subjects. It is the first descriptive study of the normal DIP where the presence of an effusion is very rare.

Diagnosis of synovitis by ultrasonography in RA: a one-year experience is enough for reliability on static images.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inter- and intra-observer agreement of ultrasonographic metacarpophalangeal joint static images in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by two investigators with different ultrasonographic experience. METHODS: Ultrasonography was performed by the senior on 386 metacarpophalangeal joints respectively in B-mode and 408 in power Doppler of 17 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. A first interpretation was done and images were stored at examination time. Static images were then read twice by two independent investigators of different experiment (4-year and 1-year experience in musculoskeletal ultrasonography respectively for the senior and the junior). RESULTS: For the intra-investigator reproducibility kappa or weighted kappa coefficient ranged from 0.74 to 0.99 for the junior and the senior for B and power Doppler mode. For inter-investigator reproducibility kappa or weighted kappa coefficient ranged from 0.61 and 0.98 for qualitative B and power Doppler modes and semi-quantitative power Doppler. The inter-investigator weighted kappa was 0.49 for semi-quantitative B-mode. The agreement between the dynamic exam and the static exam; results were very good for both readers in power Doppler Mode (0.89). In B-Mode, they didn't reach statistical significance. The reliability for measuring synovial thickness was excellent--rho=0.7609 (p=0.00001). CONCLUSION: An experienced rheumatologist and a junior achieved high inter- and intra-observer agreement rates for the identification of synovitis and power Doppler activity for static images of ultrasonography. Trainees could use that method as a first step in US learning.

Back problems in Parkinson's disease: an underestimated problem.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the extent of back pain in Parkinson's disease (PD). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: PD is a common and disabling condition during the course of which back pain may develop. In contrast, the literature on the epidemiology of back pain in PD is poor. METHODS: Patients with PD, seen consecutively in a neurology clinic over a period of 4 months, were inquired about back pain through a self-questionnaire and compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of chronically ill patients. RESULTS: The study involved 104 parkinsonians (mean age: 67.3 years) who had had PD for an average of 11.6 years, and 100 controls (mean age: 65.8 years) who had chronic heart disease or diabetes for an average of 14.2 years. Sixty-two parkinsonians and 23 controls reported back pain. The prevalence was 59.6% in the parkinsonian group and 23.0% in the control group (P < 0.0001). Pain severity was evaluated with a visual analogic scale and averaged 54 +/- 23 mm in parkinsonians and 41 +/- 19 mm in control (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic back pain is quite common in PD. It is responsible for a substantial functional impact and needs more attention to reduce disability of such patients.

Post-lumbar puncture arachnoiditis. The need for directed questioning.

The inflammation of the arachnoid mater may produce a fibrinous exudate around the roots that causes them to adhere to the dural sheath. We report the case of a man aged 23 years who suffered from acute inflammatory truncated sciatica. The diagnosis of adhesive arachnoiditis was made in front of clinical arguments associated to typical signs on Myelo CT Scan and MRI. The only explanation ever found was a traumatic lumbar puncture at the age of 6 years for suspected meningitis. Sequelae of arachnoiditis are difficult to diagnosis. When MRI or myelography suggests it as a possibility, precise directed questioning is necessary to seek a history, albeit distant, of spinal or meningeal events.