[Musculoskeletal ultrasonography in rheumatology]

To evaluate the evolution of musculoskeletal ultrasonography and its role in rheumatological practice by comparing recent casuistics of the ultrasonography exams performed at the Rheumatology Department of University Hospital La Paz -Madrid with the exams performed before 2003.

Revision of the ultrasonographies made between January 2007 and June 2008 and comparison with the exams performed between 1998 and 2003.

In the recent casuistics, that included 1,000 exams, anatomic ultrasonography represents 45.9% in contrast to 100% of the ultrasonographies preformed before 2003. The indication for the remaining 54.1% were: diagnosis of arthritis 16.3%, evaluation of inflammatory activity 6.8%, evaluation of enthesis 6.3%, study of temporal arteries 12.5% (9.7% for suspected temporal arteritis and 2.8% for disease monitoring); differential diagnosis of gout or chondrocalcinosis 2.2%, diagnosis of sacroiliitis 1.2%, diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome 1.5% and sonographic-guided procedures 7,3%.

At the present time, the anatomic ultrasonography represents 45.9% of all ultrasonographies in contrast to what happened before 2003. Technological advances and the progress in science promote the evolution of ultrasonography from an anatomical imaging tool to a more clinical, diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic profile.