The role of ultrasound in rheumatology.

Sensitive imaging tools are needed to assess disease activity, to detect joint damage, to monitor treatment response, and to predict disease outcome in rheumatic diseases. For its advantages in costs and risks, and for its validity, reproducibility, and sensitivity to change, ultrasonography (US) is playing an increasing role in the evaluation of joints in patients with inflammatory and degenerative disorders. US has demonstrated to be sensitive in the detection of early bone erosions as well as in the depiction of soft-tissue damage. 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.