Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection.

Colour duplex sonography of finger arteries in vasculitis and in systemic sclerosis.

Schmidt WA, Wernicke D, Kiefer E, Gromnica-Ihle E

Medical Centre for Rheumotology Berlin-Buch, Karower Str 11, 13125, Berlin, Germany. w.schmidt@immanuel.de

CASE REPORTS: Three patients-two with Wegener's granulomatosis and one with an overlap syndrome of rheumatoid vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and antiphospholipid syndrome-are described. All patients experienced a sudden onset of Raynaud's phenomenon or acrocyanosis when they had a flare of their disease. DISCUSSION: Ultrasonography (US) showed dark (hypoechoic) arteries without colour signals, resembling the US pattern of embolism. In contrast, US in patients with systemic sclerosis is entirely different, delineating a smaller artery lumen, reduced pulsation, and thickened, slightly hyperechoic artery walls.

Published 13 January 2006 in Ann Rheum Dis, 65(2): 265-7.
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