Degenerative disease

Degenerative disease

Synovitis Radiographs are usually the first-line imaging investigation performed for the examination of joints. Typical changes of a degenerative or an erosive arthropathy are well known and understood. However, early arthropathy will be missed on radiographs and, with the advent of disease-modifying drugs, it is important to detect early synovitis before it is even apparent on clinical examination. Gadolinium diethyl triamine penta-acetic (DTPA)-enhanced MRI is the most sensitive method for detecting synovial thickening of numerous joints, but ultrasound is also sensitive, albeit more and in laborious to perform. Ultrasound shows e ff usions and synovial thickening clearly , and shows the increased blood flow around the a ff ected joints without the use of contrast agents ( Figures 8.19 and 8.20 ). Degenerative disease

Synovitis Radiographs are usually the first-line imaging investigation performed for the examination of joints. Typical changes of a degenerative or an erosive arthropathy are well known and understood. However, early arthropathy will be missed on radiographs and, with the advent of disease-modifying drugs, it is important to detect early synovitis before it is even apparent on clinical examination. Gadolinium diethyl triamine penta-acetic (DTPA)-enhanced MRI is the most sensitive method for detecting synovial thickening of numerous joints, but ultrasound is also sensitive, albeit more and in laborious to perform. Ultrasound shows e ff usions and synovial thickening clearly , and shows the increased blood flow around the a ff ected joints without the use of contrast agents ( Figures 8.19 and 8.20 ). Degenerative disease

Synovitis Radiographs are usually the first-line imaging investigation performed for the examination of joints. Typical changes of a degenerative or an erosive arthropathy are well known and understood. However, early arthropathy will be missed on radiographs and, with the advent of disease-modifying drugs, it is important to detect early synovitis before it is even apparent on clinical examination. Gadolinium diethyl triamine penta-acetic (DTPA)-enhanced MRI is the most sensitive method for detecting synovial thickening of numerous joints, but ultrasound is also sensitive, albeit more and in laborious to perform. Ultrasound shows e ff usions and synovial thickening clearly , and shows the increased blood flow around the a ff ected joints without the use of contrast agents ( Figures 8.19 and 8.20 ).