[Ultrasound diagnosis of soft tissue changes in dialysis-associated amyloidosis].
OBJECTIVE
To develop criteria for the detection of long term dialysis-associated soft tissue changes due to amyloid deposits in various joints.


METHODS
Ultrasonographic examination of the shoulder (15 patients), hip (5 patients), knee (6 patients) and elbow (2 patients) using a 7.5 or 5 MHz scanner. A total of 28 joints were examined.


RESULTS
Soft tissue changes in long term dialysis were found to be associated with an increased thickness of the supraspinatus tendon and/or biceps tendon as well as joint effusions with echogenic zones. Moreover, increased thickness of the joint capsule and echogenic proliferation of the synovia were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound is an inexpensive and suitable method in the diagnosis and follow-up of soft tissue changes in patients on long term dialysis.
Rapp-Bernhardt
U
U
Klinik für Diagnostische Radiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg.
Milbradt
H
H
Bernhardt
T M
TM
Döhring
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007596:Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014463:Ultrasonography