Andrea Klauser MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ferdinand Frauscher MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael Schirmer, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Erich Mur, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dieter Zur Nedden MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the value of contrast enhanced grey- scale ultrasound (CEUS) in detection of vascularity in joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after intraarticular corticosteroid injection.

We assessed 35 clinical active joints in 35 patients (14 men, 21women; mean age 45 ± 12 years) with clinical diagnosis of RA. CEUS, using a low mechanical index US equipment (MPX Technos, LA532E, Esaote, Genova, Italy), was performed by a bolus administration of the contrast agent SonoVue® (Bracco, Milan, Italy). Quantitative estimation of joint vascularity was performed by calculation of time-intensity curves. Follow up examinations were carried out 3 weeks after treatment.

High peak enhancement was found before therapy in 35/35 joints, whereas after therapy a decreased enhancement with low plateau enhancement characteristics could be seen in 9/35 joints and no enhancement at all in 26/35 joints. Enhancement of the calculated time-intensity curves differed significantly before and after therapy follows up (p<0.001).

CEUS is sensitive to the presence of joint vascularity associated with RA, and useful in determination of vascularity decrease after therapy. Therefore this technique seems to have the potential of a sensitive monitoring of therapeutic response in patient with RA

Klauser, A, Frauscher, F, Schirmer, M, Mur, E, Zur Nedden, D, Contrast-enhanced Grey-Scale Sonography: Assessment of Joint Vascularity in Therapy Follow-up of Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4414202.html