title: [Value of US imaging of metacarpophalangeal joints in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: Technological advances in the field of ultrasound imaging may have, especially in metacarpophalangeal joints, an impact on decision making in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. First, the normal anatomy of the metacarpophalangeal joints is briefly reviewed. Then, the authors describe the main ultrasound imaging findings of early RA. The role of ultrasound imaging in the assessment of therapeutic response as well as the benefit of microbubble ultrasound contrast agents are considered.
authors.affiliation: Département de Radiologie Ostéo-Articulaire, Hôpital Roger Salengro, CHRU de Lille, Boulevard du Pr. J Leclercq, 59037 Lille Cedex. nboutry@chru-lille.fr
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boutry
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lardé
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Demondion
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Flipo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Holsbeeck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cotten
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography