Healthy subject

Equipment: AU4-Idea, Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy)

Transducer: 13 MHz, linear

Comments: Note the typical fibrillar echotexture of the extensor digitorum tendons (t). c = capitate bone; l = lunate bone; r = radius.

Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis

Equipment: AU4-Idea, Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy)

Transducer: 13 MHz, linear

Comments: Marked joint cavity widening. Synovial fluid (*) echotexture appears prevalently hypoanechoic with echoic spots, due to the presence of proteinaceous material. Thin echoic branches (arrowheads), rising from joint cavity ceiling, can be regarded as synovial hypertrophy. Note irregularity of lunate bone margin (arrow). t = extensor digitorum tendons; c = capitate bone; l = lunate bone; r = radius.

Filippucci E, Grassi W, Farina A. Department of Rheumatology, University of Ancona, Italy

Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis

Equipment: AU4-Idea, Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy)

Transducer: 13 MHz, linear

Comments: Marked joint cavity widening. Synovial fluid (*) echotexture appears prevalently hypoanechoic with echoic spots, due to the presence of proteinaceous material. Thin echoic branches (arrowheads), rising from joint cavity ceiling, can be regarded as synovial hypertrophy. t = extensor digitorum tendons; c = capitate bone; l = lunate bone; r = radius.

Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis

Equipment: AU4-Idea, Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy)

Transducer: 13 MHz, linear

Comments: A, Marked joint cavity widening. Synovial fluid (*) echotexture appears prevalently hypoanechoic with echoic spots, due to the presence of proteinaceous material. Thin echoic branches (arrowhead), rising from joint cavity ceiling, can be regarded as synovial hypertrophy. Note irregularity of lunate bone margin (arrow). B, Power Doppler sonography allows the detection of an increased flow. t = extensor digitorum tendons; c = capitate bone; l = lunate bone; r = radius.

Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis

Equipment: AU4-Idea, Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy)

Transducer: 13 MHz, linear

Comments: Marked joint cavity widening. Synovial fluid (*) echotexture appears prevalently hypoanechoic, with echoic spots due to the presence of proteinaceous material. Thin echoic branches (arrowheads), rising from the joint cavity ceiling, can be regarded as synovial hypertrophy. t = extensor digitorum tendons; c = capitate bone; l = lunate bone; r = radius.

Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis

Equipment: AU4-Idea, Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy)

Transducer: 13 MHz, linear

Comments: Hypo-anechoic distention (*) of the joint capsule and echogenic debris within the joint space (°). t = extensor tendons, c = capitate bone, l = lunate bone, r = radius.

Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis

Equipment: AU5-Harmonic, Esaote Biomedica (Genoa, Italy)

Transducer: 13 MHz, linear

Comments: A, Marked joint cavity widening (*) with evident signs of synovial proliferation and erosive changes. Note the volar subluxation of the capitate bone. B, Power Doppler sonography allows the detection of an increased flow. c = capitate bone; l = lunate bone; r = radius.