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Implementation and role of modern musculoskeletal imaging in rheumatological practice in member countries of EULAR.
- Source :
-
RMD open [RMD Open] 2019 Jun 25; Vol. 5 (2), pp. e000950. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jun 25 (Print Publication: 2019). - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Objectives: To document the current training, implementation and role of modern musculoskeletal imaging techniques: ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and positron emission tomography, among rheumatologists in the member countries of the EULAR.<br />Methods: English-language questionnaires for each imaging modality developed by a EULAR task force were sent out to national and international scientific societies as well as imaging experts in the given modalities involved in research and/or training. The surveys were distributed via an online survey tool (SurveyMonkey). Simple descriptive and summary statistics were calculated from the responses.<br />Results: More than 90% of ultrasound (US) experts reported the availability of a US unit in their department. Suspicion of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritides were the main clinical indications for performing US for diagnostic purposes. Suspicion of sacroiliitis and degenerative spine disease were the most common indications to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) for diagnostic purposes, while positron emission tomography was mainly performed to diagnose large vessel vasculitis and to investigate fever of unknown origin. The reported percentage of rheumatologists performing US was highly variable, ranging from more than 80% in 6% of countries to less than 10% in 15% of countries. The majority of experts (77%) reported that their national rheumatology societies organise musculoskeletal US courses, while courses in MRI or CT organised by the national rheumatology societies were less commonly reported (29% and 8%, respectively).<br />Conclusions: Rheumatologists in Europe utilise modern imaging techniques; however, access to the techniques and training offered is varied.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.
- Subjects :
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid diagnostic imaging
Arthritis, Rheumatoid epidemiology
Europe epidemiology
Fever of Unknown Origin diagnostic imaging
Fever of Unknown Origin epidemiology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods
Musculoskeletal System pathology
Osteoarthritis diagnostic imaging
Osteoarthritis epidemiology
Positron-Emission Tomography methods
Rheumatoid Vasculitis diagnostic imaging
Rheumatoid Vasculitis epidemiology
Rheumatologists statistics & numerical data
Rheumatology trends
Sacroiliitis diagnostic imaging
Sacroiliitis epidemiology
Spine pathology
Spondylitis, Ankylosing diagnostic imaging
Spondylitis, Ankylosing epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires statistics & numerical data
Tomography, X-Ray Computed methods
Ultrasonography methods
Musculoskeletal System diagnostic imaging
Rheumatologists education
Rheumatology organization & administration
Surveys and Questionnaires standards
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2056-5933
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- RMD open
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31321076
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2019-000950