Abnormal sonographic findings in the asymptomatic arthritic shoulder

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 2002, Vol.31 (1), p.17-21
• Main Authors: Naranjo, A., Marrero-Pulido, T., Ojeda, S., Francisco, F., Erausquin, C., Rúa-Figueroa, I., Rodríguez-Lozano, C., Hernández-Socorro, C. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arthritis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnostic imaging; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Joints; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pathology; Radiography; Reproducibility of Results; Rheumatoid; Rheumatoid Factor - analysis; Rheumatoid Nodule; Shoulder Joint; Shoulder Joint - diagnostic imaging; Shoulder Joint - physiopathology; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0300-9742; 1502-7732
• DOI: 10.1080/030097402317255318

Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of arthritic shoulder joints, especially in painless shoulders. Methods: US examinations were performed in 57 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (114 shoulders) and in 32 controls (32 shoulders), using a 7.5 MHz linear probe and a standardized study protocol. US findings were compared with clinical, laboratory, and radiological data to find any relationship. Results: Abnormal sonographic findings were found in 80 shoulders (70%); the most common were lesions in the supraspinatus tendon (38%), subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis (29%), bone erosions of the humeral head (20%), glenohumeral joint effusion (19%), and biceps tendinitis (13%). Although US abnormalities were most frequent in patients with painful shoulders or abnormal findings on physical examination or radiography, a high rate of alterations was found in asymptomatic shoulders (51%), in normal shoulders on physical examination (44%) and in normal shoulders on radiographic assessment (61%). Differences of US findings in relation to time of evolution of rheumatoid arthritis, patient's age, and radiographic stage in hand and/or wrist joints were not found. Conclusion: US abnormalities in the shoulder joint are frequent in rheumatoid arthritis, both in patients with and without shoulder complaints as well as in patients with normal findings on physical examination.