ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE - A COMPARISON WITH MR-IMAGING

Ultrasonography (US) of the knee in gonarthritis was evaluated with ga dolinium-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging as a reference. The study included 1 3 patients with gonarthritis, 2 patients with osteoarthritis and 5 hea lthy controls. Compared to MR, US identified 100% (12/12) of joint eff usions, 100% (5/5) of Baker's cysts. 57% (8/14) of the synovial membra nes of the suprapatellar recess and 38% (3/8) of bone erosions. No MR or clinical findings characterized the patients with ultrasonographica lly identifiable synovial membranes. Quantitative MR- and US-estimates of effusion, synovial membrane and cartilage thicknesses were correla ted. The Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.87, 0.86 and 0.82, r espectively. US reliably demonstrated joint effusions and Baker's cyst s but showed lack of sensitivity for demonstration of the synovial mem brane and bone erosions. When the synovial membrane was identifiable, the measurements of synovial thickness by US appeared precise. Cartila ge evaluation by US seemed dependable. The clinical value was limited, because the weight-bearing areas were inaccessible.