Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography for Monitoring Arterial Inflammation in Takayasu Arteritis.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) compared with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in assessing vessel inflammation of Takayasu arteritis (TA).

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 71 patients with TA who had undergone carotid CEUS. Twenty-two of 71 patients underwent FDG-PET after CEUS.

Cost-effectiveness of Different Intra-articular Drug Injections on Wrist and/or Elbow Compromise in Patients With Established Rheumatoid Arthritis: Short-term Results of an Open Observational Evaluation.

Background: Intra-articular (IA) injections are an integral part of the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there are few reports regarding the association between drug effectiveness and cost.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of various combinations of IA injections of betamethasone, hyaluronic acid (HA) or etanercept for oligoarthritis in RA.