Metacarpophalangeal joints in rheumatoid arthritis: Laser Doppler imaging - Initial experience

Laser Doppler imaging is a noninvasive method yielding a spatial perfusion map. With use of a near-infrared laser, elevated perfusion associated with the metacarpophalangeal joints was detectable in patients with active rheum atoid arthritis. Findings at laser Doppler imaging correlated with pain sco res and synovitis detected at ultrasonography, whereas the power Doppler si gn (red pixels inside the active green box) did not. Laser Doppler imaging has the potential to help assess soft-tissue inflammation.