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Assessment of proximal finger joint inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, using a novel laser-based imaging technique.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a newly developed laser-based imaging technique for the study of soft tissue changes and acute inflammatory processes of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A novel imaging device was developed which allows the transillumination of PIP joints using laser light in the near-infrared wavelength range. In a first clinical followup study, a total of 72 PIP joints of 22 patients with RA and 64 PIP joints of 8 healthy controls were examined both clinically and with the new laser device. At baseline and at followup after a mean of 6 weeks, clinical signs of synovitis, the joint circumference, and the degree of pain were assessed for each PIP joint in order to determine the clinical degree of inflammation. Different features were extracted from the laser images and evaluated by a neural network. RESULTS: At baseline, 72 PIP joints in the RA patients showed clinical signs of inflammation. At followup, 45 PIP joints showed clinical improvement, 13 showed steady active inflammation, and 14 showed deterioration compared with the first visit. None of the 64 PIP joints in the healthy individuals showed any signs of synovitis. The inflammatory status of 60 of the 72 RA joints examined was classified correctly by laser examination and joint circumference determination, giving a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 89%, and an accuracy of 83% in detecting inflammatory changes in affected joints. Laser data and joint circumference determination of healthy joints at followup resulted in an accuracy of 85% in reproducing the image. CONCLUSION: The new laser-based imaging technique allows the transillumination of PIP joints and gives information about the inflammatory status of the joint after processing through a neural network. Our data indicate that laser imaging may provide additional information in the early diagnosis of an inflammatory joint process and may prove particularly useful in assessing acute joint inflammation at followup.

Adult↗

[A new titanium-carbon finger joint implant. Apropos of 15 initial cases].

Arthroplasty of the MP and PIP joint remains a therapeutic challenge for the hand surgeon. The poor results of the currently available implants are due to their mechanical conception (non strained) or their material (silicone causing instability, ruptures and silicone synovitis). The authors present the preliminary results of a new digital articular implant (IAD). It is a strained implant with a rigid hinge allowing 105 degrees of range of movement (0 degree to 105 degrees). Three sizes are available and very soon four. The intramedullary stems are in titanium alloy (TA6V) and the gliding surfaces in pyrolytic carbon. This association allows solidity, endurance, excellent gliding and no wear debris. 15 implants were evaluated (13 PIP and 2 MP joints) with a follow-up from 4 to 1 year. A painless range of motion were restored in 11 cases and 4 articulations were only lightly painful during motion requiring strength and at the end of the movement. The gain of the range of movement was 50 degrees always in a useful sector. The grasp was 60% better in post than in pre operative conditions. No infection was found. It is only the beginning of this implant but the indications seem to be good for all the articular destructions of the digital joints what ever was the aetiology (traumatic, infection or rheumatoid arthritis).

Adult↗

New-generation implant arthroplasties of the finger joints.

Prosthetic replacement in the hand must address such unique challenges as preservation of the collateral ligaments, tendon balancing, and stability. Some recently developed implant arthroplasties of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints have anatomically designed articular components; others have non-cemented, press-fit, carefully contoured intramedullary stems. The rationale behind developing the unlinked or semiconstrained prosthesis with anatomic geometry is that it would create balanced forces across the joint. Low-profile, anatomically designed implants limit the amount of bone removed and preserve the integrity of the collateral ligaments. A metacarpophalangeal joint implant with an elliptical metacarpal head and a nonfixed center of rotation can enhance stability in flexion through greater articular contact. A proximal interphalangeal joint implant that preserves the collateral ligaments also can achieve improved stability. Component loosening is not an early complication with these recent designs, and arc of motion is satisfactory.

Arthroplasty, Replacement↗

Magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, and scintigraphy of the finger joints: one year follow up of patients with early arthritis. The TIRA Group.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate synovial membrane hypertrophy, tenosynovitis, and erosion development of the 2nd to 5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints by magnetic resonance imaging in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or suspected RA followed up for one year. Additionally, to compare the results with radiography, bone scintigraphy, and clinical findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty five patients were examined at baseline, of whom 34 were followed up for one year. Twenty one patients already fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA at baseline, five fulfilled the criteria only after one year's follow up, whereas eight maintained the original diagnosis of early unclassified polyarthritis. The following MRI variables were assessed at baseline and one year: synovial membrane hypertrophy score, number of erosions, and tenosynovitis score. RESULTS: MRI detected progression of erosions earlier and more often than did radiography of the same joints; at baseline the MRI to radiography ratio was 28:4. Erosions were exclusively found in patients with RA at baseline or fulfilling the ACR criteria at one year. At one year follow up, scores of MR synovial membrane hypertrophy, tenosynovitis, and scintigraphic tracer accumulation had not changed significantly from baseline; in contrast, swollen and tender joint counts had declined significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRI detected more erosions than radiography. MR synovial membrane hypertrophy and scintigraphy scores did not parallel the changes seen over time in clinically assessed swollen and tender joint counts. Although joint disease activity may be assessed as quiescent by conventional clinical methods, a more detailed evaluation by MRI may show that a pathological condition is still present within the synovium.

Adult↗

Missing creases of distal finger joints as a diagnostic clue of nail-patella syndrome.

Nail-patella syndrome (NPS, OMIM 161200) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a clinical characteristic tetrad consisting of fingernail dysplasia, hypoplastic or absent patellae, bony protuberances of the ilia (iliac horns) and dislocation of the radial head. Kidney involvement may lead to renal failure, and there is an increased risk for glaucoma. Clinical diagnostic skin clues are triangular lunulae especially on the thumbs which are highly predictive for the NPS. A less known but even more important sign is the absence of skin creases on the dorsal aspects of the distal interphalangeal joints. Even in patients with normal nails the absence of distal interphalangeal creases was noted. Less specific skin changes are webbing between digits, within the popliteal fossae, hyperextensible joints, absent or fragile nails and grooved nails and longitudinal ridging with splitting. With increasing costs in the health care system, it is important to recognize diseases by specific clinical findings which are often as predictive and precise as expensive technical investigations.

Adult↗

Erbium--169 versus triamcinolone hexacetonide in the treatment of rheumatoid finger joints.

Erbium--169 was compared with triamcinolone hexacetonide in the topical treatment of 32 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Erbium--169 was injected into 83 and triamcinolone hexacetonide into 54 proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints. Both treatments produced alleviation of joint pain and swelling and improvement of grip strength. At every check-up (1--18 months) the percentage of remissions was higher after triamcinolone hexacetonide injection than after erbium--169. The difference was significant at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Adult↗

First clinical evaluation of sagittal laser optical tomography for detection of synovitis in arthritic finger joints.

OBJECTIVE: To identify classifiers in images obtained with sagittal laser optical tomography (SLOT) that can be used to distinguish between joints affected and not affected by synovitis. METHODS: 78 SLOT images of proximal interphalangeal joints II-IV from 13 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were compared with ultrasound (US) images and clinical examination (CE). SLOT images showing the spatial distribution of scattering and absorption coefficients within the joint cavity were generated. The means and standard errors for seven different classifiers (operator score and six quantitative measurements) were determined from SLOT images using CE and US as diagnostic references. For classifiers showing significant differences between affected and non-affected joints, sensitivities and specificities for various cut off parameters were obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: For five classifiers used to characterise SLOT images the mean between affected and unaffected joints was statistically significant using US as diagnostic reference, but statistically significant for only one classifier with CE as reference. In general, high absorption and scattering coefficients in and around the joint cavity are indicative of synovitis. ROC analysis showed that the minimal absorption classifier yields the largest area under the curve (0.777; sensitivity and specificity 0.705 each) with US as diagnostic reference. CONCLUSION: Classifiers in SLOT images have been identified that show statistically significant differences between joints with and without synovitis. It is possible to classify a joint as inflamed with SLOT, without the need for a reference measurement. Furthermore, SLOT based diagnosis of synovitis agrees better with US diagnosis than CE.

Adolescent↗

[Conservative treatment of stable finger joint dislocations using the Stack splint].

Stable dislocations of PIP-joints should be treated by early motion. It is important to gain full extension from the very beginning of treatment. The anatomy and biomechanics as well as the use of a Stack button-hole splint is reported. 28 patients with 32 dislocations have been treated for two to four weeks with excellent results.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Historical perspective of finger joint motion: the hand-me-downs of our predecessors. The Richard J. Smith Memorial Lecture.

Understanding the mechanics of human dexterity requires an appreciation of the kinetic chains that comprise the hand and the intricate interplay of muscles and ligaments that control its movements. Some of the salient contributions to this field are described from a personal point of view in the hope that this perspective will stimulate further understanding of this unique human tool.

Finger Injuries↗

Interreader agreement in the assessment of magnetic resonance images of rheumatoid arthritis wrist and finger joints--an international multicenter study.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows direct visualization of inflammation and destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints. However, MRI scoring methods have not yet been standardized or appropriately validated. Our aim was to examine interreader agreement for a simple system of scoring RA changes on MRI among 5 centers that had not undertaken intergroup calibration. MRI of RA wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints were scored by experienced readers in 5 centers in different countries. In substudy 1, 5 sets of 2nd-5th MCP joints from UK [Technique A: 1.5 T, coronal and axial T1 and T2 spin-echo, -/+ fat saturation (FS), -/+ iv gadolinium (Gd)] were scored for synovitis (score 0-3) and bone lesions (0-3). In substudy 2, we evaluated 19 sets of 2nd-5th MCP joints [10 sets from UK (Technique A) and 9 sets from the US (Technique B: 1.5 T; coronal T1 spin-echo and T2* gradient-echo + FS, no Gd)] and 19 wrist joints [9 from the US (Technique B) and 10 from Denmark (Technique C: 1.0 T; coronal and axial T1 spin-echo, no FS, -/+ Gd)]. Synovitis (0-3), bone lesions (0-3), and joint space narrowing (JSN, 0-3) were scored in each MCP joint and in 3 different regions of the wrist. Bone erosions and lesions in each bone were scored 0-5. Substudy 1 served to test and redesign the score sheets. In substudy 2, the scores of synovitis and bone lesions by the 5 groups were the same or differed by only one grade in 73% and 85% of joints, respectively. On MRI that included 2 imaging planes and iv Gd (Techniques A and C), these rates were 86% (synovitis) and 97% (bone lesions). Corresponding intraclass correlation coefficients (quadratic weighted kappas) were 0.44-0.68, mean 0.58 (synovitis), and 0.44-0.69, mean 0.62 (bone lesion), i.e., in the moderate to good range. Unweighted kappa values were in the low to moderate range, generally lowest for JSN (< 0.20), better for synovitis and bone erosions, and best for bone lesions, being generally highest for MRI with 2 planes pre- and post-Gd and in MCPjoints compared with wrists. These preliminary results suggest that the basic interpretation of MRI changes in RA wrist and MCP joints is relatively consistent among readers from different countries and medical backgrounds, but that further training, calibration, and standardization of imaging protocols and grading schemes will be necessary to achieve acceptable intergroup reproducibility in assessing synovitis and bone destruction in RA multicenter studies.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

[Substitution of an injured finger joint by silicone rubber prosthesis].

Between 1973 and the first semester of 1975, on the injured and destroyed digital articulation 27 patients have been operated on by means silicon rubber prosthesis of Swanson type. The prosthesis plasty and the field of its use are shortly resumed, pointing out the importance of its adaptation on the injured articulation. The operative technique is described, as well as the results obtained and the aspects of the evaluation are discussed. The results obtained with the silicon rubber prosthesis are very promising. In the case of failure arthrodesis may be performed at any time.

Finger Injuries↗

[Treatment of contracture of the finger joints by capsulectomy and spring-splints].

The treatment performed in 84 cases of contracted PIP articulations is reported, -in 50 cases the treatment has been carried out with spring-actuated splint and in 34 cases with capsulectomy. It has been found by the authors that the results of the physico-therapeutic treatment used so-far may be still more improved, -satisfactory result has been obtained in more than the half of the author's cases. The advantages of the use of the spring-acutatd splint as against Quengel's method are emphasized. Capsulectomy performed in very serious cases resulted in improvement of the articulation motion in 50% of the cases.

Contracture↗

[Finger joint arthrodeses with intraosseous wire suture and Kirschner wire. A comparative study of 309 operations].

In this study the results of digital arthrodeses with intraosseous wiring and Kirschner-wire were compared with other operative techniques. The report is based on 309 operations performed between 1979 and 1982. The indications were mostly traumatic and posttraumatic joint lesions. Here the best results were obtained with the technique of intraosseous wiring and Kirschner-wires. On an average, it took seven weeks to full radiological and clinical bony union. Also the functional results after digital arthrodeses with different techniques were studied. With a mean total active range of motion of 76.8% compared with normal, this technique showed good results. Compression screw arthrodeses, tension-band arthrodeses and digital arthrodeses with crossed Kirschner-wires were performed only for special indications during the period covered by the report.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Diagnostic value of high-resolution B-mode and doppler sonography for imaging of hand and finger joints in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: High-resolution sonography enables a detailed assessment of intraarticular and extraarticular soft tissue abnormalities of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic value of B-mode sonography and power Doppler compared with that of clinical examinations and conventional radiography. METHODS: The study group comprised 47 patients (14 men, 33 women) with different grades of RA; 31 patients were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive, and 16 were RF negative. The wrists, first through fifth metacarpophalangeal joints, and second through fifth proximal interphalangeal joints of these patients were scored with ultrasound in B-mode and power Doppler application, using a standardized technique. Involvement and severity of inflammation, as well as vascularization, were scored according to a new 3-point scale. The results were correlated with benchmarks of the clinical and radiologic investigations. Clinical status and conventional radiologic status were determined according to the Disease Activity Score and the Larsen score. RESULTS: After preliminary studies in 15 patients, 39% of 704 joints were found to be abnormal by clinical investigation. Erosions were detected by radiography and sonography in 23% and 43% of joints, respectively. Hypervascularization was observed in 34% of 704 joints by power Doppler application. There was a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the different methods for the detection of the severity of lesions. Use of a modern, state-of-the-art power Doppler program was necessary for semiquantification, and a standardized investigation technique and scoring system provided sufficient quality measures. CONCLUSION: Sonography detects 20% more abnormalities than does radiography, and sonography has the potential to provide simple grading of disease activity. The rate of detection of abnormalities was slightly higher with clinical examination compared with sonography.

Adult↗