title: [Ultrasound diagnosis of soft tissue changes in dialysis-associated amyloidosis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Diagnostische Radiologie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rapp-Bernhardt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Milbradt
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Döhring
mesh_terms: 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