Table 3 Predefined scores [18] for the ultrasonographic evaluation of images obtained at time-points T0 to T4
Ultrasound characteristics | Score |
|---|---|
Synovial fluid appearance | |
Normal (anechoic) | 0 |
Slightly changed (predominantly anechoic/rare hyperechogenic spots) | 1 |
Changed (heterogeneous liquid with anechoic points) | 2 |
Presence of fibrin/evident hyperechogenic spots, predominantly heterogeneous | 3 |
Synovial fluid quantity | |
Normal | 0 |
Slightly increased | 1 |
Increased | 2 |
Severe discharge | 3 |
Appearance of the joint capsule (thickness and insertions) | |
Normal | 0 |
Slightly changed (noticeable thickening and heterogeneity) | 1 |
Changed (clearly thickened and heterogeneous/few proliferations at insertion) | 2 |
Severely changed (thickened and heterogeneous, with calcification points and/or intense proliferation at insertion) | 3 |
Appearance of periarticular ligaments (origin and insertions) | |
Normal | 0 |
Slightly changed (noticeable heterogeneity) | 1 |
Changed (clearly heterogeneous and with proliferations at origin/insertion) | 2 |
Severely changed | 3 |
Vascularization and synovitis | |
None | 0 |
Mild (few vessels visible, synovium slightly hypertrophied) | 1 |
Moderate (evident vascularity, congestion and hypertrophied synovium) | 2 |
Severe | 3 |
Appearance of articular cartilage | |
Normal | 0 |
Slightly irregular | 1 |
Discontinuous and rough | 2 |
Difficult to visualize, erosions, fragments | 3 |
Subchondral surface | |
Normal | 0 |
Irregular with focal lesions | 1 |
Clearly irregular | 2 |
Depressions, erosions, fragments | 3 |
Appearance of the plica | |
Normal | 0 |
Mildly changed | 1 |
Changed (heterogeneous and hypertrophied) | 2 |
Severely changed | 3 |
Presence of osteophytes | |
None | 0 |
Mild projection | 1 |
Evident projection | 2 |
Severe projection | 3 |
Final sum (total) | 27 |