General Applications of Ultrasound in Rheumatology Why We Need It in Our Daily Practice

Ultrasound (US) is a noninvasive imaging technique that con- tinues to gain interest among rheumatologists because of its undoubted utility for the assessment of awide range of abnormalities in rheumatic dis- eases. It also has a great potential to be used at the time of consultation as an extension of the clinical examination. Current data demonstrate that the standard clinical approach could result in an insensitive assessment of some the different aspects of the various rheumatic diseasesfor whichUS hasbecome a feasible and effective imag- ing modality that allows early detection of anatomical changes, careful guidance for the aspiration and/or local treatment, and short- and long- term therapy monitoring at the joint, tendon, enthesis, nail, and skin levels. The spectrum of pathological conditions for which US plays a crucial role continues to increase over time and includes rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, osteoarthritis, crystal-relatedarthropathies, connec- tive tissue disorders, and vasculitis. It is expected that the inclusion of more longitudinal studies with a larger number of patients and more rigorous methodological approach will un- doubtedly provide a better understanding of the significance of the abnor- mal US findings detected in order to provide the proper diagnostic and/or therapeutic approaches. In this article, we analyze the current potential ap- plications of US in rheumatology and discuss the evidence supporting its use in the daily rheumatologic practice.