title: Concepts in monitoring enthesitis in patients with spondylarthritis--the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound.
abstract: Enthesitis is the key pathological lesion in the spondyloarthritides group and an important element for early diagnosis with a predictive and prognostic value. The recognition of enthesitis on a clinical basis alone remains a challenge and creates unnecessary delays in diagnosis and adequate treatment commencement. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a valid, reliable, and feasible imaging tool valuable for identifying inflammatory and structural lesions at enthesis level, helpful in establishing a diagnosis, evaluating disease activity and therapy monitoring. This paper focuses on the most relevant aspects of current literature regarding enthesitis and highlights the musculoskeletal ultrasound added value in enthesis assessment.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Division, Rehabilitation Clinical Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Mihaela Cosmina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Micu
authors.affiliation: 2nd Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. dfodor@umfcluj.ro.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fodor
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007596:Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013710:Tendons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*