High-resolution ultrasound of the midfoot: sonography is more sensitive than conventional radiography in detection of osteophytes and erosions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint disease

This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of ultrasonography to conventional radiography in detecting osteophytes and erosions in the midfoot joints in patients suffering from inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint disease. Patients with current foot radiographs were included and stratified in two cohorts: inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint disease. The ten midfoot joints of each foot were evaluated by conventional radiography assessing the presence of osteophytes and erosions and by ultrasonography determining the presence of osteophytes, erosions, and joint effusion. Power Doppler activity was scored semi-quantitatively from 0 to 3. A total of 2445 joints in 124 patients (90 with inflammatory joint disease, 34 with non-inflammatory joint disease) were assessed. Ultrasonography detected significantly more osteophytes than conventional radiography (344; 14.1% vs. 13; 0.5%), as well as more erosions (60; 2.5% vs. 3; 0.1%). There was weak agreement between the two modalities (κ-statistic 0.029–0.035). Power Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated no significant difference in hyperperfusion comparing patients with inflammatory joint disease and non-inflammatory joint disease. Ultrasonography of the midfoot is more sensitive than conventional radiography in the detection of osteophytes and erosions in patients suffering from inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint disease. Thus, midfoot ultrasonography may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of joint diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.