Can ultrasound differentiate acute erosive arthritis associated with osteomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gouty arthritis?

Aim: The study intended to determine the specific ultrasonographic features of acute arthritis with periarticular bone erosions caused by acute osteomyelitis (OM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gouty arthritis (GA).

Method: We included 33 patients (seven with acute OM, 18 with RA flares, and eight with GA attacks) having acute monoarthritis or oligoarthritis, and receiving ultrasound (US) examinations in the acute stage. The US images were rated by three rheumatologists blinded to the diagnosis.

What happened to health service utilization, health care expenditures, and quality of care in patients with acute pancreatitis after implementation of global budgeting in Taiwan?

Aim: Acute pancreatitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the United States, more than 3,00,000 patients are admitted and about 20,000 die from acute pancreatitis per year. In Taiwan, the incidence rate of acute pancreatitis is 0.