Ultrasound of the hand in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic connective tissue disease characterized by multi-organ involvement but the main clinical changes occur in the hands, secondary to skin, joint and microvascular damage. Therefore the hand received a special attention for imaging and especially for ultrasound evaluation. In rheumatology US become an extension of the clinical examination and particularly in systemic sclerosis it has been proven to help with a better assessment of the skin, blood vessels, joints and tendons involvement. This evolution was allowed by permanent improvement of technology along with expanding the range of ultrasound applications which happened especially in past decade.