Improvement in diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions with one-stop clinic-based ultrasonography

Mod Rheumatol. 2009;19(1):53-6. doi: 10.1007/s10165-008-0122-4. Epub 2008 Oct 7.

Abstract

We evaluated the impact of clinic-based musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) on diagnosis and management of cases as seen in day-to-day rheumatology practice. Data were retrieved for demography, background condition, clinical findings, indications, regions scanned, and outcomes of MSUS, and categorised as: new-patients and follow-up. New-patient records were analysed as to whether MSUS had helped to confirm or change clinical diagnosis or was of no additional help. In follow-ups, we determined whether MSUS had helped in disease assessment, detection of co-existing problems or revision of diagnosis. Its impact on treatment decisions was noted. A total of 237 patients (146 women; mean age 55.9+/-17.2 years) had 264 regions scanned; hands,50.7%. In 78/237 (32.9%) there was disagreement between clinical and MSUS findings. Amongst new-patients (72), 13/39 (33.3%) referred with inflammatory arthritis had no MSUS evidence of inflammation in or around joints. In 76.3% it helped in confirming or changing diagnosis. Of the follow-ups (165), in 78.7%, 13.9% and 7.2% it helped in assessment, detection of co-existing problems and revision of diagnosis, respectively. MSUS influenced treatment in 45/165 (27.27%) cases. In 60/67 (89.55%) cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it was done for disease assessment; in 31/60 (51.66%) it influenced treatment. MSUS, as a clinic-based service in rheumatology, has significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of patients. This has potential to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and follow-up visits and ensure better outcomes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Musculoskeletal System / diagnostic imaging*
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / trends*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult