[Ultrasonic arthrotomography in the complex diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis]

Ultrasound tomography (UT) was used for visualization of the elbow and knee joints in 52 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 28 healthy persons. The technique is described. Results were compared with data of roentgenological and scintigraphic examinations. It is shown that UT permits to visualize directly the substrate of inflammation and its severity. UT has advantages over roentgenography and scintigraphy in detecting patients with rheumatoid arthritis with emphasis of the inflammatory changes of the periarticular soft tissues, periarticular cysts, exudation in the articular cavity, destructions of intraarticular cartilage.