Power Doppler sonography and pulse-inversion harmonic imaging in evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis synovitis.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the value of contrast-enhanced pulse-inversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) to detect synovial vascularization and thus the therapeutic effects of prednisolone treatment on the inflammation in finger joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Before and after 7 days of mid- to high-dose steroid therapy, blood tests and clinical and sonographic examinations were assessed in 14 patients. Two hundred eighty finger joints (metacarpophalangeal [MCP] I-V, interphalangeal [IP], and proximal interphalangeal [PIP] II-V) were investigated on power Doppler sonography to determine, in each patient, the finger joint with the strongest hypervascularization and to score the synovial vascularization. Further dynamic examination of the selected joint was performed on PIHI after i.v. administration of a second-generation sonographic contrast medium. Vascularization was quantified by calculating the area under the time-intensity curves. The changes in signal intensities before and after therapy were correlated with clinical examinations (disease activity score [DAS]).


RESULTS
The score of the joint with the strongest hypervascularization assessed by power Doppler sonography decreased significantly from 1.7 to 1.3 (p < 0.01); however, in six patients, no change was assessed after steroid therapy. In all patients, a significant reduction in PIHI signals was observed after therapy (p < 0.05). The baseline and follow-up median values of the area under the time-intensity curves were 8.56 +/- 1.28 and 7.65 +/- 0.66, respectively. The median values of the DAS decreased significantly from 4.90 +/- 0.86 to 3.6 +/- 1.0 (p < 0.01) 7 days after the steroid therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
PIHI and power Doppler sonography enable the detection of synovial perfusion alterations after steroid therapy and, therefore, may be useful tools for the evaluation of active inflammation in RA and for the assessment of therapeutic response. However, minor changes of synovial vascularization can be better detected on PIHI than on power Doppler sonography.
Schueller-Weidekamm
Claudia
C
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. claudia.schueller-weidekamm@meduniwien.ac.at
Krestan
Christian
C
Schueller
Gerd
G
Kapral
Theresa
T
Aletaha
Daniel
D
Kainberger
Franz
F
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D011239:Prednisolone