Limited value for ultrasonography in predicting flare in rheumatoid arthritis patients with low disease activity stopping TNF inhibitors.

Objective: Ultrasonography (US) can be used for treatment decisions in RA patients. This study investigated the added value of US to clinical variables in predicting flare in RA patients with longstanding low disease activity when stopping TNF inhibitors (TNFi).

Methods: Cox models with and without using US added to clinical variables were developed in the Potential Optimization of Expediency of TNFi-UltraSonography study.

[A man with a yellow coloured abnormality of his finger].

A 83-year-old man presented to the emergency department with signs of diabetes mellitus de novo and a yellow coloured abnormality of his left index finger. A plain radiograph of the left hand showed destruction of the proximal interphalangeal joint of digit II. With use of polarised light microscopy, the diagnosis 'gouty tophus' was established.

Role of ultrasonography in diagnosing early rheumatoid arthritis and remission of rheumatoid arthritis--a systematic review of the literature.

Introduction: Ultrasonography (US) might have an added value to clinical examination in diagnosing early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and assessing remission of RA. We aimed to clarify the added value of US in RA in these situations performing a systematic review.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for RA, US, diagnosis and remission.

Reliability testing of tendon disease using two different scanning methods in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To assess the intra- and interobserver reliability of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) in detecting inflammatory and destructive tendon abnormalities in patients with RA using two different scanning methods.

Methods: Thirteen observers examined nine patients with RA and one healthy individual in two rounds independently and blindly of each other. Each round consisted of two consecutive examinations, an anatomy-based examination and a free examination according to personal preferences.

Self-directed learning of basic musculoskeletal ultrasound among rheumatologists in the United States.

Objective: Because musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is highly user dependent, we aimed to establish whether non-mentored learning of MSUS is sufficient to achieve the same level of diagnostic accuracy and scanning reliability as has been achieved by rheumatologists recognized as international experts in MSUS.

Methods: A group of 8 rheumatologists with more experience in MSUS and 8 rheumatologists with less experience in MSUS participated in an MSUS exercise to assess patients with musculoskeletal abnormalities commonly seen in a rheumatology practice. Patients' established diagnoses were obtained from chart review (gout, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and seronegative arthritis).

Musculoskeletal ultrasound including definitions for ultrasonographic pathology.

Ultrasound (US) has great potential as an outcome in rheumatoid arthritis trials for detecting bone erosions, synovitis, tendon disease, and enthesopathy. It has a number of distinct advantages over magnetic resonance imaging, including good patient tolerability and ability to scan multiple joints in a short period of time. However, there are scarce data regarding its validity, reproducibility, and responsiveness to change, making interpretation and comparison of studies difficult.