Ultrasound imaging for the rheumatologist. XX. Sonographic assessment of hand and wrist joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis: comparison between two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography.

In the rheumatology literature, most of the available evidence on three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) is related to the acquisition process and highlights the virtual operator independence and shortening of the US examination time. The main aim of this study was to compare 3D US using a high-frequency volumetric probe and conventional 2D US at the wrist and hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The 3D US examinations were performed using a Logiq 9 (General Electrics Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) with a high-frequency (8-15 MHz) volumetric probe. Overall, there is good-to-excellent agreement between the two modalities relating to both joint inflammation and bone erosion. This study is an initial step towards establishing a methodology necessary for developing multi-centre US studies which are aimed at assessing hand involvement in patients with RA.