title: Gray scale and power Doppler ultrasonography in evaluation of early rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultrasonography provides information regarding synovial membrane proliferation and its vascularization. The AIM of our study was to evaluate the role of gray scale and power Doppler ultrasonography in assessing early rheumatoid arthritis by analyzing the scores determined by the evaluation of synovial proliferation, joint effusion, erosion or soft tissue swelling.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was prospective comprising 34 patients (31 female, 3 men), mean age 45.68 years, with clinical changes and biochemical early rheumatoid arthritis. Bilateral wrist, II-V metacarpophalangeal, and proximal interphalangeal joints were evaluated by dorsal and palmar scans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration from the onset of symptoms was 3.46 months. Based on the clinical, biochemical and US scores the patients from our study presented early stages of RA. Also, statistically significant correlations were observed between the time elapsed from the onset, the changes highlighted by ultrasound and the stage of the disease (stage 0 or 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study confirms that US evaluation of changes in the joints of the hand offers useful information for staging the diagnosis of RA.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", 3-5 Clinicilor str. Cluj-Napoca, Romania. inabotar@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botar-Jid
authors.forename: Sorana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bolboaca
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fodor
authors.forename: Corina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bocsa
authors.forename: Maria Magdalena
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tamas
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micu
authors.forename: Sorin M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dudea
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vasilescu
authors.forename: Radu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badea
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler