Color Doppler ultrasound of the hand: observations on clinical utility in rheumatoid arthritis.

The use of ultrasound with color Doppler in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis was followed in 25 patients with joint complaints. Small joint ultrasound of the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPs) as well as the wrists was performed with supplementation by color Doppler. In addition, 6 patients were followed for at least 3 months after start of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using the same technique.

Morphological and functional changes in the diabetic peripheral nerve: using diagnostic ultrasound and neurosensory testing to select candidates for nerve decompression.

It has been hypothesized that in individuals with diabetes mellitus the peripheral nerve is swollen owing to increased water content related to increased aldose reductase conversion of glucose to sorbitol. It has further been hypothesized that the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel is at risk for chronic nerve compression related to this swelling. We used diagnostic ultrasound to evaluate this hypothesis.

Evaluation of shoulder integrity in space: first report of musculoskeletal US on the International Space Station.

Investigative procedures were approved by Henry Ford Human Investigation Committee and NASA Johnson Space Center Committee for Protection of Human Subjects. Informed consent was obtained. Authors evaluated ability of nonphysician crewmember to obtain diagnostic-quality musculoskeletal ultrasonographic (US) data of the shoulder by following a just-in-time training algorithm and using real-time remote guidance aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Sonography of the Wrist and Hand.

With the advent of new technical improvements and innovations, sonography is gaining ground in use and acceptance as a highly useful modality to diagnose a variety of diseases involving the wrist and the hand. Common ailments such as tendinitis and tenosynovitis can be diagnosed easily, and the diagnosis of small soft tissue masses such as ganglia has become almost routine. Sonography holds great promise in the evaluation of disease involving the median and the ulnar nerves, the ligaments of the wrist, and the triangular fibrocartilage.