Ultrasound applications for the practicing rheumatologist

Fredrick Joshua*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an increasingly used tool for the evaluation and management of rheumatologic diseases. Its utilisation by rheumatologists is varied around the world and is dependent upon training and local expertise. Its applications can be broadly categorised into three main areas; for the education of patients, to aid the rheumatologist in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease, and therapeutically for joint aspiration and injection. Ultrasound is a safe, portable, easily repeatable, dynamic images in multiple planes and cheap form of imaging. Ultrasound however, is operator dependent and has a number of artefacts that can result in misinterpretation. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound uses a number of modes to characterise joint pathology, including grey scale, colour and power Doppler, spectral Doppler, 3D imaging, elastography. Musculoskeletal ultrasound can detect and monitor multiple joint pathologies including synovitis, tenosynovitis, and tendon pathologies, entheseal processes, bone erosions and osteophytes, cartilage changes and bursal pathologies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)853-867
Number of pages15
JournalBest Practice and Research: Clinical Rheumatology
Volume26
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012
Externally publishedYes

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