Ultrasound imaging in spondyloarthropathies

Through recent technological advances, ultrasound allows high-resolution visualisation of inflammatory and destructive changes in tendon and joint structures. Over the last few years, the added value of the use of ultrasound for evaluating entheseal involvement in spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients has been demonstrated. Several studies have described the ultrasound features of enthesitis in SpA, revealing the high frequency of clinically asymptomatic abnormal findings. It is, therefore, highly relevant to consider the validity of ultrasonographic measures of entheseal inflammation and damage. This article focusses on ultrasound appearance of peripheral enthesitis, and underlines the advantages and current limitations of the technique for the management of SpA. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.