Role of High Resolution Ultrasonography Versus MRI in Imaging of Rheumatic Finger Lesions, NAGUI MOHMED ABD EL-WAHAB, NOUR MOHAMMED KANDIL, HATEM MOHAMED EL-AZIZI and MOHAMED HUSSEIN AHMAD
Abstract
Background: Surgeons need to know both the exact loca-tion of the finger lesions in relation to the anatomic structures and the correct pre-surgical diagnosis. This is why it is important to possess an in-depth knowledge of the radiological appearance of the different pathologic entities.
Imaging tissue characterization is also important because it is easier to achieve a correct diagnosis if it is known from which tissue a lesion originates. Both ultrasonography and MRI are useful techniques.
This prospective study included (40) patients; 35 females and 5 males. Patients presented with finger lesions of rheumatic etiology. All the patients underwent US and MRI examination. MRI was considered the gold standard.
Results: In our study, we found that ultrasonography is useful for evaluating a variety of rheumatic lesions of the finger. Its wide spread availability, relatively low cost and high spatial resolution make it an excellent tool for investi-gating finger disorders. MR is the best imaging modality for lesion characterization.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography and MRI are complementary techniques to obtain a correct diagnosis. It is of utmost importance to possess an in-depth knowledge of finger radio-logical anatomy in detail, as well as the appearance of the different pathologic entities on both ultrasonography and MRI.