Computer-Assisted Quantification of the Synovial Perfusion in Patients With Arthritis Using Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Power Doppler Ultrasonography

Inclusion Criteria: * patients with at least one painful swollen peripheral joint observed by a rheumatologist, including: * shoulder joints * elbow joints * wrist joints * metacarpophalangeal (MCP) AND * proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of hands, ankle joints, subtalar joints, mid-tarsal joints, MTP and PIP joints of feet Exclusion Criteria: * patients with active infection * patients with concurrent malignant disease * patients with a history of traumatic, septic, or cystal arthritis * previous joint surgery, or isotopic synovectomy within the past 12 months before the study