DIAGNOSTIC USE OF AN ULTRASONIC TRANSMISS ION CAMERA FOR RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Transmission (TM) sonography allows a reliable and fast imaging of sof t tissues like joint capsules and tendons, especially of hands and fee t. Bony structures appear blurred, but serve as landmarks for easy ori entation on the ultrasonic images. The quality of imaging allows a rep roducible measurement of joint capsule parameters. Inflammatory altera tions of joints are recognized earlier than with conventional x-rays. TM sonography contributes to the diagnostic panel for rheumatic diseas es, which involve soft tissues and joints of hands and feet. Today, TM sonography cannot compete with conventional reflex sonography in gene ral arthrosonography, but it is an interesting addition. Follow-up stu dies will show whether objective joint parameters available by TM sono graphy may help to both indicate disease progression and to monitor th erapeutic interventions in rheumatic diseases.