Colour duplex sonography of finger arteries in vasculitis and in systemic sclerosis.
METHODS
Three patients-two with Wegener's granulomatosis and one with an overlap syndrome of rheumatoid vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and antiphospholipid syndrome-are described. All patients experienced a sudden onset of Raynaud's phenomenon or acrocyanosis when they had a flare of their disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonography (US) showed dark (hypoechoic) arteries without colour signals, resembling the US pattern of embolism. In contrast, US in patients with systemic sclerosis is entirely different, delineating a smaller artery lumen, reduced pulsation, and thickened, slightly hyperechoic artery walls.
Schmidt
W A
WA
Medical Centre for Rheumotology Berlin-Buch, Karower Str 11, 13125, Berlin, Germany. w.schmidt@immanuel.de
Wernicke
D
D
Kiefer
E
E
Gromnica-Ihle
E
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology