Comparison of High-Resolution Ultrasonography With Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) can provide information, on signs of inflammation and destruction, due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The focus was on the wrist joint, during early and late disease and compared the findings to those with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: The study was based on 31 RA patients, with joint involvements, who were selected from those attending the outpatient rheumatology clinic. The patients completed both HRUS and MRI examinations, and their results were compared. Results: The HRUS and MRI images had near-perfect agreement, for detecting joint anomalies, in those RA patients. While comparing the overall performance of the HRUS and MRI studies, it was observed that HRUS was equal or nearly equal, demonstrating 90.83%, 100.0% and 94.93%, diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively, for diagnosing RA pathologies. Conclusion: The early diagnosis of RA with HRUS and MRI examinations is very important, in the early treatment of RA. The HRUS examinations demonstrated a sensitive and reliable diagnostic method for assessing inflammatory activity and destructive changes in the joints of these RA patients, with HRUS findings comparable to those of MRI.