The role of ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow-up of early inflammatory arthritis

The inflammatory arthritides are a group of chronic, often debilitating disorders characterized by synovial inflammation and progressive joint destruction. The primary diagnostic aim is to recognize the inflammatory arthritis at an early stage, such that therapies may be implemented before irreversible joint destruction has occurred. The radiologist now plays a pivotal role both in making an accurate and early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis as well as assessing treatment response. This article reviews the current literature and presents our approach to the sonographic assessment of early inflammatory arthritis.