High resolution ultrasonography for imaging metacarpophalangeal joints.

The purpose of the study was to examine the possibilities of high resolution US to visualize and diagnose the changes within the fissures of hand metacarpophalangeal joints and to assess the dimensions of metacarpophalangeal joints in healthy people and selected diseases. The study involved 44 individuals subjected to ultrasound examinations of the hands. The group included 35 healthy right-handed persons (22 women and 13 men), aged 21-53 (average - 33), 7 right-handed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (5 women and 2 men), aged 41-73 (average - 54) and 2 right-handed men treated for acromegaly, aged 43 and 58.