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. The Logic 500 ultrasonograph (GE) was used. The images of metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands in the dorsal transverse and longitudinal projections were performed using the broad-band linear head with the frequency of 8.5-11 MHz. The analysis included 880 measurements of the metacarpophalangeal joints. The results were presented using the metacarpophalangeal joints of the 1st and 3rd fingers. The results in men and women, healthy and ill individuals were compared. In the authors' opinion high resolution US is a valuable method of imaging the anatomical structures of metacarpophalangeal joints, which may be used to evaluate morphological changes and to estimate the degree of joint destruction in some diseases.