Interobserver reliability of Masei index validation by a multicenter collaborative group of rheumatologists.

MASEI is the main validated ultrasound score for the evaluation of enthesis. The lack of studies facing the agreement to achieve for the interpretation of the MAdrid Sonographic Enthesis Index (MASEI) among researchers from different centers in multicenter studies is of concern. The aim of this multicenter was to evaluate the interobserver reliability of MASEI. An experienced ultrasonographer-rheumatologist performed ultrasound scans of the areas included in MASEI index in three patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis. Videos were captured. The videos were then evaluated by 24 rheumatologists of the ultrasound working group of the Catalan Society of Rheumatology (EcoCAT). A face-to-face training meeting was held. Ten days after the workshop, the study participants evaluated the videos. A reliability assessment was performed. The ICC for the MASEI scores after the workshop was of 0.97 (95% CI 89-99). Reliability did not vary statistically with examiner experience. Globally, no problems of reliability by structures were seen, and all the ICCs were above 0.90 and improved slightly after the educational program. However, the correlation observed between examiners at plantar aponeursis and triceps tendon was weak. The small variability observed in the results of the index validation in our study, suggests that the MASEI index is reproducible by different observers when those are well trained and show awesome results of the enthesis when examined by ultrasound.

Progression of Large Vessel Disease in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis-Associated Ischemic Stroke: The Role of Vascular Imaging: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can cause ischemic stroke (IS) due to the involvement of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries. The aim of our study is to describe the pattern of stroke recurrence in patients with GCA-related IS and the role of vascular imaging in the follow-up of these patients. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of 2417 consecutive patients diagnosed with IS and admitted to our hospital from January 2012 to December 2018. We reviewed patients with GCA-related IS and the relationship of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, vascular status, and clinical course. RESULTS: We found 4 patients with GCA-related IS among 2417 IS patients: 1 woman (25%); median age, 77.3 years (67-85 years). Mean follow-up was 3.6 years. Initial vascular workup showed vertebral artery stenosis in all of them and internal carotid artery stenosis in 2 patients. All patients were started on treatment with full-dose prednisone, associated with methotrexate in 2 cases. Follow-up color-coded duplex sonography disclosed progression of arterial stenoses in 3 patients who suffered a recurrent IS (days after index stroke; mean, 27.67 [SD, 10.97]) despite normal C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular imaging, especially with color-coded duplex sonography, could play a role in the follow-up of patients with GCA-related IS and identify those patients with higher risk of recurrent stroke.

Overview of Thigh and Leg Anatomical and Sonographic Landmarks in Rheumatic Patients.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound has become a practical and accessible diagnostic tool for musculoskeletal diseases. It is used to examine joints, tendons, vessels, and nerves due to its wide availability in rheumatology practice. Ultrasound has also been applied for years in other areas such as muscular injuries in sports activities and rheumatic diseases with inflammation such as myositis. The knowledge among rheumatologists about muscle ultrasound is increasingly growing taking into account it is not the main target of their ultrasound activity but mainly based on the evaluation of joint, synovitis, tenosynovitis, vasculitis in giant cell arteritis, and parotid gland evaluation in Sjögren´s syndrome. Thus, the present review describes anatomical and ultrasound findings including all muscles of the thigh (anterior, posterior, medial aspects) and leg (anterior, lateral, posterior superficial, deep posterior compartments) of lower limb structures to ease a comprehensive clinical and sonographic evaluation.

Giant pes anserinus bursitis: A rare soft tissue mass of the medial knee.

Bursae are small, jelly-like sacs that are located throughout the body, mainly around the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel in a number over 150. They contain a small amount of fluid, and are positioned between bones and soft tissues, acting as cushions to help reduce friction. Pes anserinus bursae, despite being clinically frequent, are not visible either by ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance image (MRI). In some cases, we may observe a small fluid collection. The present case-report demonstrates the full clinical picture of a giant pes anserinus bursae beginning from clinical observation to its final pathology exam.

Doppler ultrasonography of superficial temporal artery in a cohort of patients with strong clinical suspicion of giant cell arteritis. / Ecografía Doppler de arterias temporales superficiales en la arteritis de células gigantes en una cohorte con alta sospecha clínica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most frequent systemic vasculitis in adults. In recent years, the usefulness of temporal artery ultrasound (TAUS) as a diagnostic tool to assess the underlying inflammation of the vascular wall during the inflammatory process has been under clinical investigation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational and descriptive cohort study of 120 TAUS in 60 patients with clinical suspicions of GCA, according to the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) classification criteria. RESULTS: Among all patients who underwent ultrasound, 42.3% met clinical criteria for GCA according to ACR. Sensitivity and specificity of TAUS in our cohort with clinical suspicion was 81.8% and 93.3%, respectively. A PPV of 90.1% and a VPN of 87.5% were observed. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that TAUS as a useful, indolent, fast, and accessible tool with high diagnostic specificity and diagnostic value.

Giant pes anserinus bursitis: A rare soft tissue mass of the medial knee / Bursitis gigante de la pata de ganso: Una masa de partes blandas infrecuente de la rodilla medial

Bursae are small, jelly-like sacs that are located throughout the body, mainly around the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel in a number over 150. They contain a small amount of fluid, and are positioned between bones and soft tissues, acting as cushions to help reduce friction. Pes anserinus bursae, despite being clinically frequent, are not visible either by ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance image (MRI). In some cases, we may observe a small fluid collection. The present case-report demonstrates the full clinical picture of a giant pes anserinus bursae beginning from clinical observation to its final pathology exam.(AU)

Las bursas son estructuras saculares gelatinosas distribuidas por todo el cuerpo; hombro, codo, cuerpo, cadera, rodilla y tobillo. Existen más de 150 y son fisiológicas. Contienen fluido y su función es protectora, evitando la fricción entre estructuras como huesos, tendones y ligamentos. La bursa anserina, a pesar de ser clínicamente frecuente, normalmente no es visible, ni mediante ecografía, ni mediante resonancia magnética. En algunos casos puede tener una pequeña colección líquida. El presente caso muestra toda la evolución de una bursa anserina gigante desde el inicio de la observación clínica, hasta su análisis anatomopatológico.(AU)

Ecografía Doppler de arterias temporales superficiales en la arteritis de células gigantes en una cohorte con alta sospecha clínica / Doppler ultrasonography of superficial temporal artery in a cohort of patients with strong clinical suspicion of giant cell arteritis

Fundamento y objetivo: La arteritis de células gigantes (ACG) es la vasculitis sistémica más frecuente en adultos. En los últimos años, existe un interés creciente en evaluar la utilidad de la ecografía de arterias temporales superficiales (EATS), que permite valorar la inflamación de la pared vascular. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohorte observacional y descriptivo de 120 EATS a 60 pacientes con sospecha clínica de ACG según criterios clásicos de ACR (American College of Rheumatology). Resultados: De todos los pacientes a quienes se les realizó la EATS, el 42,3% presentó diagnóstico de ACG según los criterios de clasificación ACR. La sensibilidad y la especificidad de la ecografía en nuestra cohorte de pacientes con alta sospecha clínica fueron de 81,8 y 93,3%, respectivamente, con un VPP de 90,1% y un VPN de 87,5%. Conclusión: Los resultados avalan la ecografía de arteria temporal bilateral como una técnica útil, indolora, rápida, accesible, de alta especificidad y amplia validez diagnóstica

Background and objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most frequent systemic vasculitis in adults. In recent years, the usefulness of temporal artery ultrasound (TAUS) as a diagnostic tool to assess the underlying inflammation of the vascular wall during the inflammatory process has been under clinical investigation. Material and methods: Observational and descriptive cohort study of 120 TAUS in 60 patients with clinical suspicions of GCA, according to the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) classification criteria. Results: Among all patients who underwent ultrasound, 42.3% met clinical criteria for GCA according to ACR. Sensitivity and specificity of TAUS in our cohort with clinical suspicion was 81.8% and 93.3%, respectively. A PPV of 90.1% and a VPN of 87.5% were observed. Conclusion: Our results showed that TAUS as a useful, indolent, fast, and accessible tool with high diagnostic specificity and diagnostic value