Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheaumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, manifested as continuing swelling and tenderness of the involved joints, deformation and disabled function of joints in serious cases. High frequency ultrasound can not only identify structures and surrounding soft tissue of the joints, but also detect synovial vessels of inflamed joints. Thus, it plays an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of rheaumatoid arthritis. This article reviewed in detail about the application of grey scale ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasound, contrast enhanced ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided interventional therapy in rheaumotoid arthritis.