[Musculoskeletal ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis].

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography has spread rapidly in the field of rheumatology. Ultrasonography is able to accurately evaluate synovial lesion, and it detect bone lesion in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in early stage. Power Doppler signals with synovial hypertrophy mean disease activity of RA. Therefore, ultrasonography is very useful in not only the early diagnosis but also the evaluation of disease activity as well as evaluation of treatment choice in the patients with RA. Additionally, it improves the technique of physical examination and assists the patient education. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography suggested to be generalized in the rheumatologic practice in Japan.