title: [Evaluation of synovial thickness of the small joints of the wrist and hand using high-frequency intraoperative ultrasound probe in healthy young and middle-aged individuals].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the synovial thickness in the bilateral wrist joints, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints using high-resolution intraoperative ultrasound probe in healthy young and middle-aged volunteers to determine the normal reference ranges of synovial thickness in the joints.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in 100 healthy young and middle-aged volunteers, including 50 male (mean age 36.2∓5.0 years; range 18-54 years) and 50 female (mean age 38.8∓5.5 years; range 20-56 years) individuals. The synovial thickness in the bilateral wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints was measured using the GE Logiq S8 18 MHz polo stick-like linear probe array.
  
  
  RESULTS
  s No statistical significance was found in the synovial thickness of the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints between the left and right hands, between young (<40 years) and middle-aged (≥40 years) subjects, or between the flexor surface and the extensor surface. In the male subjects, however, the synovial thickness in the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints was significantly greater than that in female subjects. A significant difference was noted in the synovial thickness between the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement of the synovial thickness of the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints using high-resolution intraoperative ultrasound probe is beneficial for early diagnosis and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.
authors: Department of Ultrasound, Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University/Academy of Orthopedics of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510630, China. E-mail: 85101286@qq.com.
authors: Zeng-Kun
authors: ZK
authors: Lin
authors: Hong-Mei
authors: HM
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014953:Wrist / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult