JUVENILE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE - EVALUATION WITH US

PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of ultrasound (US) in assessing joint i nflammation in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) of th e knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US scans obtained in 36 children (mean age, 8 years) with TRA of the knee were compared with those obtained i n 30 healthy children. RESULTS: Changes in synovial membrane (synovial thickness), presence of fluid in the suprapatellar bursa, and alterat ions in the contour (blurring) of the articular cartilage showed stati stically significant differences between JRA patients and control subj ects. US was more sensitive than physical examination for detecting a minimal amount of intraarticular fluid in 21% of JRA-affected knees wi th no clinical evidence of active disease. CONCLUSION: US is a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and accurate method for assessing joint inflammat ion in patients with JRA of the knee.