Abstract:

Objective To investigate the application of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and three-dimensional color power angiography（3D-CPA）in the diagnosis of hand joint damage in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods HFUS and 3D-CPA Six were performed for 600 metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints from 30 patients clinically diagnosed as RA. The thickness of synovial membrane and conditions of arthroedema were measured, the damage of tendon and destruction of bone were detected, and the characteristics of blood flow were observed. Besides, the imaging findings of 20 healthy volunteers were served as controls. Results HFUS revealed that there were 458 joints (76.33%) with arthroedema, 429 joints (71.50%) with thickening synovial membrane, 275 joints (45.83%) with peritendinitis of tendon and 134 joints (22.33%) with bone erosion. Vascular hypergenesis (synovium pannus) was found in 86 joints (14.33%) by 3D-CPA. Conclusion HFUS can reveal various appearance of hand joint damage in RA, which can provide a reference for diagnosis. 3D-CPA may have a volumetric display of synovium pannus formation, which is helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

Key words: rheumatoid arthritis, metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint, high-frequency ultrasound, threedimensional color power angiography