title: The role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral spondyloarthropathies.
abstract: In recent years a dynamic development of ultrasound technology has been observed. Consequently, ultrasound is increasingly being utilized in rheumatology. With the introduction of high-frequency (up to 18 MHz) linear probes, sensitive Doppler techniques, harmonic imaging options and cross beams, ultrasound is used in the initial diagnosis of rheumatic diseases, monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment and confirmation of remission. Ultrasound cannot identify specific rheumatic diseases, but it does allow for an evaluation of the type of pathology, including an assessment of disease progression and its location. These irregularities include: synovial pathologies, effusion, tendon, cartilage and bone lesions, tendon and ligament pathology at the site of their insertion (enthesopathies). This publication discusses the wide spectrum of changes in peripheral joints and entheses observed on ultrasound. Special consideration is given to the ultrasound, which besides an MRI is a leading diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of early stages of the disease and monitoring of disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw, Poland ; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Second Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sudoł-Szopińska
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zaniewicz-Kaniewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Fadhil
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saied
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kunisz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Patrycja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smorawińska
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw, Poland ; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Second Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Włodkowska-Korytkowska
keywords: Arthritis; Juvenile; Spondylarthropathies; Ultrasonography