24 Shoulders of 12 patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis were examined with plain X ray (A-P view) and ultrasonography (US). The anterior, superior and posterior aspects of the shoulder were scanned in the transverse plane.
Findings of the US were compared with those of X ray according to Larsen's classification. Even in early stages of Larsen's classification in which X-ray could not detect remarkable changes, effusion, atrophy of the rotator cuff, were detected by US. In more moderate stages, the ratio of detecting the findings of atrophy of the rotator cuff, rotator cuff tear, atrophy of limbs and erosion increased in US scanning. These results suggest that US is useful for evaluating the conditions of the shoulder joint in RA.
