Longitudinal and transversal scan of the left second metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of a patient with R.A..

The circumference of the synovial membrane is marked on a 2D mode picture, and the area is instantly calculated by the computer

Longitudinal scan of 2 MCP before injection of contrast. Within the Doppler frame box, blood flow is visualised as colored areas by Color-Doppler technique.

Vascular activity in the synovial membrane is clearly shown here.

Correlation between vascular fraction in the synovial membrane and ESR a/ investigator 1 , b/ investigator 2

Injection of U.S. contrast increases the ratio of colored pixels in a significant way.

P = 0.004 using Wilcoxon signed rank test

Graphical visualization of intraclass variation. Results from examination 1 are arranged in increasing numbers. Results from examination 2 are matched for each picture of the patient.

ICC investigator1 = 0.97 (p< 0.0001). ICC investigator 2 = 0.82 (p< 0.0001)

Graphical visualization of interclass variation. Results from investigator 1 are arranged in increasing numbers. Results from investigator2 are matched for each picture of the patient.

ICC = 0.81 (p< 0.0001)

Bilateral longitudinal scan of caput ulnae on patient with R.A (top).

X-ray of left wrist (bottom).

Erosion on the left caput ulnae is seen by ultrasonography. Note the smooth unbroken surface on the contralateral caput ulnae. No erosion was described by the radiologist.