Arthrosonography, Thermography and Dynamic Scintigraphy of the Knee and Computer Assisted Thermometry of the Hand

Abstract

AbstractIn patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other joint diseases the knee is frequently involved. There are different factors such as inflammatory, degenerative, periarticular and static mechanisms which may cause pain, effusions, Baker’s cysts and atrophy of the quadriceps muscle. There is particular interest in synovitis and the associated clinical signs such as effusion, hyperthermia and an increase of intra-articular pressure. We are evaluating different non-invasive diagnostic and assessment techniques to examine the different effects of therapy such as surgical synovectomy, intra-articular injection of an anti-inflammatory drug and isometric exercises.Arthrosonography is an imaging technique performed with ultrasound tomographic equipment. It is useful for the examination of liquid cavities such as the suprapatellar recess, arthroceles, Baker’s cysts and their communication with the joint space.Infra-red thermometry has been used to measure spot temperatures compared with contact plate liquid ...