Role of Ultrasonography in Assessment of Knee Joint in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease affecting approximately 0.5-1% of the adult population. Early diagnosis and early treatment of RA are mandatory for the prevention of irreversible joint damage and disability. The knee is commonly affected in RA, and the diagnosis of synovial inflammation and joint effusion are usually done by clinical examination; however, clinical examination only may lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Since the early changes generally begin in soft tissues, Ultrasound (US) seems to be superior to clinical examination and conventional radiography in early detection .quantification and follow-up of several synovial pathologic changes affecting Knee Joint.Aim of the Work: The purpose of this study is to emphasis the role of ultrasonograghy in the assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis involving the knee joint giving special emphasis on the synovial inflammatory process as a useful adjunct influencing the therapeutic strategy.Patients and Methods: Thirty cases; 23 females and 7 males with 60 symptomatic knee joints were included in this study at the period from November 2011, till January 2014, age range 22 to 54 years old (average 38 years). Patients were referred to the Radiology Department at Kasr Al-Aini Hospital after full clinical examination and laboratory investigations to evaluate their knee joints affection by RA using US and MRI.Results: The high correlation rate between the results of US and MRI have shown that in rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee joint involvement, US is an easily accessible and effective alternative/complimentary method of examination in detection of knee joint early signs of synovitis, effusion and bony erosions in patient with rheumatoid arthritis.