[Ultrasound in inflammatory rheumatic joint diseases]

Inflammatory changes of the shoulder joint could be detected at a very early stage, when the clinical and radiological examinations were unremarkable. In 50% of the cases a rupture of the rotator cuff could be demonstrated. Only 10% of the shoulder joints had normal sonographic findings, whereas 50% were normal on clinical or radiological examination. Synovitis and effusion of the hand can be diagnosed very well by clinical examination, and can be documented in ultrasound. The sonographic diagnostic accuracy in tendon ruptures of the hand is lower than accuracy of the clinical examination. New technical developments may yield better results. Inflammatory changes of the hip joint are very difficult to diagnose by clinical examination. Synovitis, effusion and changes of the capsule can be better detected by ultrasound. Sonography of the hip joint has become part of our routine diagnostic programme, especially because early changes of the joint do not present clear symptoms.