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Current status and recent advances on the use of ultrasonography in pediatric rheumatic diseases
Li-Xia Zou1, Mei-Ping Lu1, Lawrence Kwok Leung Jung2
1Department of Rheumatology Immunology and Allergy, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57 Zhugan Lane, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Insights
Ultrasound is a valuable tool for diagnosing and managing pediatric rheumatic diseases, aiding in early detection and treatment monitoring. Further standardization and validation are needed for optimal clinical application in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
- Rheumatic Diseases
Background:
- Ultrasonography is increasingly utilized in adult rheumatology and is emerging in pediatric rheumatology.
- This review focuses on the current applications and advancements of ultrasound in pediatric rheumatic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on the current status and recent advances of ultrasound in pediatric rheumatic diseases.
- To explore the utility of ultrasound in various pediatric rheumatic conditions and novel imaging technologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed databases.
- Review of articles on ultrasound applications in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, enthesitis, Sjogren's syndrome, and other rheumatic diseases.
- Inclusion of articles on novel ultrasound imaging technologies relevant to pediatric rheumatology.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound aids in detecting subclinical synovitis, classifying juvenile idiopathic arthritis subtypes, identifying early joint damage, monitoring treatment response, and guiding injections.
- It is also useful for evaluating musculoskeletal symptoms, parotid gland pathology, and skin thickness in other rheumatic disorders.
- Emerging ultrasound techniques show potential for pediatric rheumatic disease assessment.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound demonstrates significant potential for assessing and managing pediatric rheumatologic disorders.
- Standardization and validation studies in healthy children and patients with rheumatic diseases are essential for widespread clinical adoption.
Background:
Ultrasonography has become a useful tool in the clinical rheumatology settings in the last two decades, but its use has only recently been explored by pediatric rheumatologists. The aim of this article is to review the literature on the current status and recent advances on the use of ultrasound in pediatric rheumatic diseases.
Data Sources:
We have retrieved and reviewed the relevant articles from MEDLINE/PubMed databases published so far, on the applications of ultrasound in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, enthesitis, Sjogren's syndrome, and other rheumatic diseases. In addition, articles on novel ultrasound imaging technology of potential use in pediatric rheumatology are also reviewed.
Results:
In JIA, ultrasound can be used to detect subclinical synovitis, to improve the classification of patients in JIA subtypes, to capture early articular damage, to monitor treatment response, and to guide intraarticular injections. Ultrasound is also considered useful in other rheumatic disorders for the evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms, assessment of parotid gland pathology, and measurement of skin thickness and pathology. Novel ultrasound techniques developed to augment the functionality of ultrasonography may also be applicable in pediatric rheumatic disorders.
Conclusions:
Ultrasound shows great promise in the assessment and management of children with rheumatologic disorders. However, standardization and validation of ultrasound in healthy children and in patients with rheumatic diseases are still needed.
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