Normal musculoskeletal ultrasound values in children's joints
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Establishing normal values in ultrasound images of healthy children's joints to facilitate differentiation from inflammatory changes seen in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
IRAS ID
243102
Contact name
Alice Leahy
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Ultrasound is an established imaging mode used in the diagnosis and management of arthritis in adults. The development of a similar practice in childhood arthritis has been limited by the differences in ultrasound appearances between children and adults, and between children of different age groups. Some ultrasound findings in healthy growing children may be confused with pathology, making its routine use more problematic, and impeding meaningful research into its role in picking up or excluding pathology. In this study we aim to address the shortage of knowledge about ultrasound appearances in the joints of healthy children, by scanning 300 children from the ages of 2-16 in a school or nursery setting. We have selected the wrist, the ankle, and a finger joint to look at in each child. We will be looking for specific features which may be present in healthy children, to allow differentiation from pathology when ultrasound is used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of arthritis. Images and video clips will be saved for independent review and will also be used to develop an atlas of normal images for clinical and educational purposes.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
18/WS/0048
Date of REC Opinion
29 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion