Clinical and radiological manifestations of the rheumatoid wrist. A comprehensive review

OBJECTIVE: The intent of this review article is to present the common clinical and radiological features of the rheumatoid wrist as seen in everyday practice. Imaging of the rheumatoid wrist is discussed with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its current and future role in the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of the disease. DATA SOURCE: A search of the current medical literature from 1990 to present through PubMed was performed without constraints. Search terms used included: MRI, rheumatoid arthritis, wrist, treatment, diagnosis, radiology, clinical manifestations, and incidence. STUDY SELECTION: The articles included in this review were selected by historical significance, date of publication, pertinent review information, and, most specifically, those articles studying the current uses for imaging the rheumatoid wrist. DATA SYNTHESIS: This review demonstrated an overall agreement between numerous studies that the usefulness of MRI evaluation of the rheumatoid wrist is in its early stages of development. Many of the features of this examination of the wrist are discussed and contrasted with plain film radiographic examination. RESULTS: The role of the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment, including complementary care, as well as the follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist is unquestionable. The role of plain film examination as a diagnostic tool is excellent. The current and future role of MRI of rheumatoid arthritis is becoming obvious and will likely become the diagnostic imaging tool of choice in the near future. CONCLUSION: MRI provides more specific information on rheumatoid lesions in the wrist than plain film imaging. This is especially true when intravenous contrast is utilized. The clinician's use of physical examination, laboratory examination, radiography, and MRI will provide for early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of RA in the wrist.     

Surgical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]

Synovectomy, total arthroplasty and arthrodesis are the main surgical methods for rheumatoid arthritis. Although recurrent synovitis and radiological deterioration after synovectomy have been reported, the procedure can be an effective treatment if it is performed in the early stage where articular cartilage and bone are minimally damaged. Arthrodesis is indicated for severely destroyed joints. However, since loss of motion in the proximal joints often leads to severe disability, its indication is limited to the distal joints, such as the wrist and ankle. Total rthroplasty seems to be an ideal method because relief of pain and recovery of function can be obtained simultaneously. However, there are some complications, such as loosening and wear of the prosthesis. Solution of these would bring much benefit to the disabled rheumatoid arthritis patient.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic injection of the wrist and hand region

Joint injection of the wrist and hand region is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the family physician. In this article, the injection procedures for carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint, wrist ganglion cysts, and digital flexor tenosynovitis (trigger finger) are reviewed. Indications for carpal tunnel syndrome injection include median nerve compression resulting from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, repetitive use injury, and other traumatic injuries to the area. For the first carpometacarpal joint, injection may be used to treat pain secondary to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Pain associated with de Quervain's tenosynovitis is treated effectively by therapeutic injection. If complicated by pain or paresthesias, wrist ganglion cysts respond to aspiration and injection. Painful limitation of motion occurring in trigger fingers of patients with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis also improves with injection. The proper technique, choice and quantity of pharmaceuticals, and appropriate follow-up are essential for effective outcomes.     

Increased fructosamine in non-diabetic rheumatoid arthritis patients: role of lipid peroxides and glutathione.

Modification of proteins by non-enzymatic glycation is one of the underlying factors known to play a major role in the pathogenesis of many clinical disorders. Glycation of plasma proteins is enhanced by elevated glucose concentrations. However, increased fructosamine has been documented in rheumatoid arthritis patients without any history of diabetes. Collective evidence reveals that malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione can modulate the glycation process. This study was undertaken to unravel the possible association of malondialdehyde and glutathione with fructosamine in rheumatoid arthritis patients. A case-control study was performed on 15 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 15 control subjects. Whole blood glutathione, plasma malondialdehyde, fructosamine and fasting glucose were analyzed in both groups. Partial correlation analysis was performed to predict the independent association of malondialdehyde, glutathione and fasting glucose on fructosamine. In rheumatoid arthritis patients, while fructosamine and malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased, glutathione levels were significantly decreased compared with controls. With partial correlation analysis, fructosamine was found to have a significant positive correlation with malondialdehyde and a negative correlation with glutathione. These data suggest that plasma fructosamine levels are closely associated with malondialdehyde and glutathione in rheumatoid arthritis patients, warranting extra precaution in interpreting fructosamine as a measure of glycemic control in these patients.     

类风湿腕关节的X 线与磁共振影像对比研究

目的 探讨类风湿性腕关节的Ｘ线与磁共振成像的诊断价值。方法 分析８例类风温性关节炎患者和１例正常人的腕关节Ｘ线片和ＭＲＩ,ＳＥ序列Ｔ１ＷＩ和Ｔ２ＷＩ及Ｇｄ－ＤＴＰＡ进行对比研究。结果 Ｘ线平片示８例患者均有腕关节软组织肿胀,６例骨质稀疏,骨囊状破坏,并节间隙窄,２例无异常改变;ＭＲＩ示８例均可见不同程度范围的血管翳,滑膜炎及韧带,肌腱损伤,而骨皮质破坏无法观察。结论 ＭＲＩ在提供病变炎怀过程,如滑膜炎,关节积液,肌腱滑膜炎等的变化优于Ｘ线片;对早期和活动期关节敏感性高,是很用的诊断方法。     

Septic complications involving hand and wrist in patients with pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis: The role of magnetic resonance imaging and sonography

PurposeSeptic arthritis (SA), frequently involving hand and wrist, is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients due to immunomediated etiology of RA and immunosuppressive drug use. Clinical and laboratory features might not be useful to differentiate between RA relapse and superimposed SA. The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been described in several studies. Our aim is to evaluate the role of ultrasonography (US).Material and methodsIn the last 4 years 31 MRI of hand and wrist has been performed in the suspect of SA complicating RA. A 1.5 T unit (Siemens Symphony, Erlangen, Germany) with standardized protocol, involving the administration of contrast medium, was used. Also US with power Doppler evaluation was performed. A Philips IU22 US scanner was used.ResultsEleven points (according to Graif's study) were analyzed for every MRI and US. At MRI joint effusion (37.5% of RA relapse vs 100% superimposed SA) and soft tissue edema (25% vs 100%) were indicative of SA. At US joint effusion (31.3% of RA relapse vs 73.3% superimposed SA) and soft tissue edema (12.5% vs 60%) were indicative of SA.ConclusionOur results suggest that joint effusion and soft tissue edema are markers suggestive for superimposed SA and that MRI is more sensitive in their evaluation. Although US is less sensitive than MRI, the former is important in guiding invasive procedure and evaluating patients that cannot undergo MRI.     

Efficacy of filtration leukocytapheresis on rheumatoid arthritis with vasculitis.

The present study was designed to determine the efficacy of filtration leukocytapheresis (LCAP) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with vasculitis. Nine RA patients with vasculitis were studied by the Malignant RA Collaborative Group formed by 8 clinical centers. A total of 7 filtration LCAP procedures using the Cellsorba column (Asahi Medical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) were performed with 1 week intervals between treatments. During each apheresis procedure, 3,000 ml of blood was filtered and returned to the patient at a flow rate of 50 ml/min for 60 min. In addition to the amelioration of arthritis, the improvement of extraarticular symptoms associated with rheumatoid vasculitis such as polyneuritis, skin ulcers, digital gangrene and rheumatoid nodules was obtained. In contrast, no improvement was observed in interstitial pneumonia or lung fibrosis. LCAP could be an optional modality for the treatment of RA with vasculitis.     

彩色多普勒超声联合VTIQ评估类风湿性关节炎腕关节滑膜活动性的价值

目的：探讨彩色多普勒超声联合VTIQ评估类风湿性关节炎腕关节滑膜活动性的价值。方法：选择64例RA患者(共64个腕关节)为研究对象,依据DAS28评分分为活动组和缓解组。分别对两组患者腕关节行CDFI及VTIQ检查,获取CDFI血流分级及SWV各参数(SWV_max、SWV_min、SWV_meanSWV_std),并比较两组间的差异。绘制滑膜ROC曲线,以AUC比较SWV各参数对滑膜活动性的诊断效能。应用Kappa检验比较CDFI、VTIQ及两者联合对滑膜活动性的评估价值。结果：64个腕关节滑膜中有活动组35个、缓解组29个,活动组患者腕关节CDFI血流分级及SWV各参数均高于缓解组,差异有统计学意义(P< 0.05)。ROC曲线分析发现,SWV各参数中以SWV_mean评估滑膜活动性的诊断效能最佳,截断值为4.140m/s时,SWV_mean诊断滑膜活动性的灵敏度、特异度、准确率、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为74.28%、89.29%、79.68%、89.65%及73.52%。CDFI、VTIQ及两者联合对滑膜活动性评估具有较好的一致性(Kappa值分别为0.561、0.628及0.718),且两者联合应用诊断灵敏度、准确度、阴性预测值及Kappa值明显高于单一方法(P＜0.05)。结论：CDFI及VTIQ均可用于类风湿性关节炎滑膜活动性评估,且两者联合应用诊断价值更高。     

Limited arthrodesis for wrist instability

The knowledge on limited (intercarpal, partial) wrist arthrodeses was summarized on the basis of the contemporary literature review. They are used to treat various conditions of painful wrist pathology such as limited intercarpal arthrosis, instability, scaphoid nonunion, Kienb?ck's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The goal of the procedure was pain relieve and maintainance a functional range of motion. The indications, contraindications, limitations of range of motion, nonunion rates of the most frequently performed intercarpal arthrodeses: STT (scaphotrapeziotrapezoid), SC (scaphocapitate), SCL (scaphocapitatolunate), SL (scapholunate), LT (lunotriquetral), CLTH (capitolunotriquetrohamate or four-corner arthrodesis), RL (radiolunate), RSL (radioscapholunate) and RS (radioscaphoid) were presented.     

磁共振成像技术在腕关节类风湿关节炎诊断中的应用研究

目的 探讨MRI不同序列成像在腕关节类风湿关节炎诊断中的应用价值.方法 采用不同序列对45例类风湿性关节炎行腕关节MRI检查,观察滑膜增厚、软组织肿胀、关节积液、骨髓水肿、骨质破坏、肌腱炎和腱鞘炎显示情况.结果 T1fl3D water和T2me-3D序列显示异常征象阳性率最高,PDWI脂肪抑制、T2WI脂肪抑制序列、...     

Diagnostic and therapeutic injection of the ankle and foot

Joint and soft tissue injection of the ankle and foot region is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the family physician. This article reviews the injection procedure for the plantar fascia, ankle joint, tarsal tunnel, interdigital space, and first metatarsophalangeal joint. Indications for plantar fascia injection include degeneration secondary to repetitive use and traumatic injuries that are unresponsive to conservative treatment. Diagnostic aspiration or therapeutic injection of the ankle or first metatarsophalangeal joints can be performed for management of advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory arthritides such as gout, or synovitis or an arthrosis such as "turf toe." Persistent pain and disability resulting from tarsal tunnel syndrome, an analog of carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrist respond to local injection therapy. A painful interdigital space, such as that occurring in patients with Morton's neuroma, is commonly relieved with corticosteroid injection. The proper technique, choice and quantity of pharmaceuticals, and appropriate follow-up are essential for effective outcomes.     

Different HLA-D associations in adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

HLA-D typing was performed in 126 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. HLA-DW4, the antigen found in previous studies to characterize adult rheumatoid arthritis, had a significantly lower frequency in children with arthritis than in normal controls (P less than 0.04). By contrast, in children the antigens HLA-DW7 (P less than 0.03) and HLA-DW8 (P less than 0.01) were increased compared to controls. The antigen TMo, detected with homozygous typing cells from a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, was found to be related to the cross-reactive specificities HLA-DW7 and DW11. 46% of the patients with persistent pauciarticular arthritis of childhood typed for the antigen TMo, compared to only 1% of normal controls. Thus the relative risk for persistent pauciarticular arthritis in relation to the presence of TMo was 67.7 (P less than 0.0001). These results provide evidence of fundamental differences between adult rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis of childhood. The latter group appears to include a population distinguishable clinically and characterized in these studies by the HLA-D determinant TMo.     

Arthroscopic synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis of wrist

The wrist is the most commonly involved region of the upper extremity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Because the wrist joint becomes involved early during the disease course and its involvement rapidly progresses, and because the disabilities associated with progressive RA are significant, early and adequate treatment must be introduced to prevent disease progression. Various treatment methods can be employed to treat RA wrists based on radiological and clinical findings. Arthroscopic synovectomy is recommended for pain relief and functional recovery in early stage RA, and is also helpful in advanced staged RA with Larsen stage III. However, arthroscopic synovectomy is not recommended as an effective method of treatment for all patients with advanced radiographic changes. Nevertheless, arthroscopic synovectomy may delay the need for complex surgery, such as wrist arthrodesis or total wrist arthroplasty in selective cases. Although arthroscopic synovectomy of the wrist cannot improve grip strength or range of motion, it can reduce wrist pain and improve function, and thus facilitate return to work.     

膝关节腔内注射核素^32P治疗类风湿关节炎的护理

笔报道在核医学科及B超引导下,膝关节腔内注射核素^32P治疗类风湿关节炎的病变关节的护理,阐述术前对患进行健康知识宣教,解除他他们对“核”的恐惧,穿刺部位皮肤严格消毒准备,穿刺中严禁核素外益及严格无菌操作技能,患肢关节腔内注药后详细观察,记录,解释,膝体的保护,认为在各个环节给预高质量的护理,是顺利开展核素^32P治疗的关键,对疾病的康复更具有重要的临床意义。     

Surgical treatment of the elbow joint in rheumaid arthritis, with particular attention to resection arthroplasty

Elbow involvement in rheumatoid arthritis begins at a later stage in the development of the disease and proceeds slowly. Depending upon the degree of intensity and the involvement of neighboring joints (shoulder, wrist, hand), pathological changes in the elbow may be the cause of serious limitations in the performance of basic daily life activities. This article presents methods of surgical treatment of the elbow joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Synovectomy and debridement, which given the proper indications are performed with simultaneous resection of the radial head, can significantly reduce pain and improve joint function. In cases where considerably reduced range of motion or ankylosis is preventing the performance of daily life activities, one of the surgical treatment methods in use is resection arthroplasty using the Hass-Vainio technique. The author presents his whom (42 elbows) were followed up post-operatively over a period of 3-30 years (mean 18 years). The favourable outcome obtained in a large majority of these cases indicates that resection arthroplasty is still a valuable method for the surgical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, despite progress in prosthesis replacement.     

Shoulder arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis.

Replacement arthroplasty for the shoulder in rheumatoid arthritis is an operation which is being performed increasingly often. Several types of arthroplasty may be performed. One type is a true total shoulder replacement which involves replacing both the head of the humerus and the glenoid fossa. In a second type of arthroplasty, the articular surface of the humeral head is replaced. A modification of this type is the addition of a polyethylene spacer. Indictations for surgery, the surgical procedure, and the postoperative management are duscussed. The primary goal in the rheumatoid shoulder is a pain-free joint with a functional range of motion.     

手部小关节滑膜炎超声诊断的临床研究

目的 探讨超声检查在小关节滑膜炎诊断中的应用价值.方法 应用高分辨力超声对40例类风湿关节炎(RA组)患者的腕关节、掌指关节(MCP)及近端指间关节(PIP)均行双侧对比扫查,观察类风湿关节炎腕关节、掌指关节、指间关节滑膜炎的超声声像表现及血流特点,并与20例健康志愿者(对照组)双側相应关节扫查结果对比.结果 RA组共检出578个关节积液,总检出率72.25%;共检出498个关节滑膜增厚,总检出率62.25%;检出140个关节内血管过度增生,总检出率17.50%.结论 高分辨力超声是手部小关节滑膜炎病变和类风湿关节炎早期诊断简便易行及安全有效的检查方法.     

Comparative assessment of various programs of plasmapheresis in the combined treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

Therapeutic efficacy of various plasmapheresis (PA) programmes was comparatively studied in 92 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. PA performed as a placebo (the control group) confirmed the efficacy of PA in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The choice of a particular regimen of the procedure depended on the health status of the patient. The programme of PA with the elimination of one volume of the circulating plasma (VCP) turned to be the most effective in the patients with highly active course of the disease while the procedures with the elimination of 1/2 and 1/4 VCP should be used in those with moderate or minimal activity of the disease. The assessment of the therapeutic response should be based on the clinical data, ESR and the contents of circulating immune complexes--the most dynamic laboratory tests.     

腕关节滑膜厚度和动脉阻力指数评价类风湿性关节炎的活动期

目的 评价腕关节滑膜厚度和动脉阻力指数(RI)对类风湿性关节炎(RA)活动期及非活动期的鉴别能力.方法 选择临床确诊RA患者92例行高频超声检查,分别测量活动期和非活动期RA患者腕关节滑膜内动脉的RI值及滑膜最大厚度.结果 92例RA患者,腕关节滑膜增厚者75例.CDFI显示67例RA患者腕关节滑膜内可探测到血流信号,并可测量动脉RI值;其中活动期31例,非活动期36例.67例RA患者腕关节滑膜厚度为(2.97±1.49)mm,滑膜内动脉的RI值为(0.74±0.17).与非活动期RA患者相比,活动期RA患者腕关节滑膜内动脉的RI值显著降低(P<0.001),但滑膜厚度差异无统计学意义.结论 采用高频超声测量的RA患者腕关节滑膜内动脉RI值可作为临床反映RA滑膜炎性病变的一个客观指标,不能单纯依据滑膜厚度评价RA病变的炎性程度.     

Comparison of self-management methods for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare self-management methods used for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and to determine which methods patients consider most effective. METHODS: Patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis were questioned about self-management methods and asked to indicate the most effective ones. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with osteoarthritis and 26 with rheumatoid arthritis were interviewed. Exercise, joint protection, assistive devices and heat were the methods most commonly used. More patients with osteoarthritis than with rheumatoid arthritis used assistive devices (p=0.042). Exercise, assistive devices and heat were considered the most effective self-management methods. More patients with osteoarthritis than with rheumatoid arthritis considered assistive devices to be the most effective method (p=0.016). CONCLUSION: More patients with osteoarthritis than with rheumatoid arthritis used and indicated assistive devices as the most effective self-management method. Similar numbers of patients in both groups used other self-management methods.