Role of Ultrasonography in Evaluation of Knee Joint Synovial Lesions, MAGED A. HAWANA, HATEM M. EL-AZIZY and NAGUI M. ABD EL-WAHAB
Abstract
Background: Synovial lesions involving knee joint are considered common causes of intra articular masses and can be classified as noninfectious synovial proliferative processes (synovial osteochondromatosis, Pigmented Villonodular Syn-ovitis [PVNS], hemophilic hemoarthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis), infectious diseases (septic arthritis) and malignancies (synovial sarcoma, synovial metastases). The use of Ultrasonography (US) in patients with suspected synovial proliferation in inflammatory arthritides has increased dramatically over the last decade and most rheumatologists have adopted this technique as an integral part of routine diagnosis and man-agement of musculoskeletal diseases. An increasing number of publications support the use of US in early detection ,quantification and follow-up of several synovial pathologic changes affecting knee joint.
Aim of the Work: The purpose of this study is to emphasis the role of ultrasonograghy in the assessment of synovial lesions involving knee joint.
Patients and Methods: Thirty nine cases; 25 females and 14 males with 69 symptomatic knee joints were included in this study at the period from November 2011, till January 2014, age range 22 to 62 years old (average 42 years). Patients were referred to the Radiology Department at Kasr Al-Aini Hospital after full clinical examination and laboratory inves-tigations to evaluate their knee joints synovial affection using US and MRI.
Results: The high correlation rate between the results of US and MRI have shown that in patients with knee joint synovial lesions involvement, US is an effective alternative/ complimentary method of examination in detection of knee joint early signs of synovitis, effusion and mass lesions.