Role of Ultrasound as Diagnostic and Evaluating Tool in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective: To describe the main changes on the shoulder and its involvement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by ultrasound (US) and to correlate imaging findings with age and duration of disease. Methods: Ultrasound scans of both shoulders were performed in thirty five selected patients with clinical diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. Rotator cuff echotexture and thickness were evaluated as well as the biceps tendon, acromioclavicular joint, humeral head tuberosities, subacromialsubdeltoid bursa, and glenohumeral joint. Besides the prevalence of shoulder involvement, information about presence of pain and duration of disease were registered. The data were compared with age and duration of disease using chi-square and Student s t tests. Results: The prevalence of rotator cuff disease was 20%; with 10% oftendinosis/tendon calcification and 10% of partial/ full thickness tears. The mean rotator cuff thickness was 5.8mm. Irregularities of the humeral head tuberosities were present in 84.3% of shoulders and acromioclavicular irregularities were present in 54.3% of shoulders. Conclusion: There was no change in rotator cuff thickness related with duration of disease. Bony inegularities in humeral head tuberosities and acromioclavicular joint were the main finding associated with duration of disease. There was no relation between duration of disease and presence of tendinous disease.