SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF FEMORAL CONDYLAR CARTILAGE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Employing 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

Intra-articular somatostatin 14 reduces synovial thickness in rheumatoid arthritis: An ultrasonographic study

Sixteen 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

Usefulness of high resolution US in the evaluation of effusion in osteoarthritic first carpometacarpal joint

Objective: 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

Chondrocalcinosis: Sonographic study of the knee

Sonography 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