P V Balint1, R D Sturrock. 1. Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, University Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary, 10 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK. pb58v@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the use of high resolution ultrasound measurements and power Doppler mode in the diagnosis and follow up of a patient with psoriatic arthritic with retrocalcaneal bursitis and Achilles tendonitis. METHODS: An outpatient based ATL HDI 3000 ultrasound equipment was used with a CL10-5 MHZ 26 mm probe and musculoskeletal software. Real time B mode and power Doppler mode were used to detect changes in structure and blood flow. RESULTS: Unilateral retrocalcaneal bursitis and Achilles tendonitis were demonstrated by sonography. Power Doppler mode was useful to demonstrate an increased blood flow around an abnormal retrocalcaneal bursa. A follow up examination showed marginal thickening of the Achilles tendon without any bursitis. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is an objective method in the confirmation of clinical diagnosis after physical examination. During the examination it is possible to gain not only qualitative but also quantitative data. A comparative study with quantitative data is possible in longitudinal studies.
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the use of high resolution ultrasound measurements and power Doppler mode in the diagnosis and follow up of a patient with psoriatic arthritic with retrocalcaneal bursitis and Achilles tendonitis. METHODS: An outpatient based ATL HDI 3000 ultrasound equipment was used with a CL10-5 MHZ 26 mm probe and musculoskeletal software. Real time B mode and power Doppler mode were used to detect changes in structure and blood flow. RESULTS: Unilateral retrocalcaneal bursitis and Achilles tendonitis were demonstrated by sonography. Power Doppler mode was useful to demonstrate an increased blood flow around an abnormal retrocalcaneal bursa. A follow up examination showed marginal thickening of the Achilles tendon without any bursitis. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is an objective method in the confirmation of clinical diagnosis after physical examination. During the examination it is possible to gain not only qualitative but also quantitative data. A comparative study with quantitative data is possible in longitudinal studies.
Authors: I Olivieri; L Barozzi; A Padula; M De Matteis; A Pierro; F Cantini; C Salvarani; P Pavlica Journal: J Rheumatol Date: 1998-07 Impact factor: 4.666