Decrease of synovial power Doppler flow in arthritis patients under therapy with the TNF-alpha inhibitor adalimumab

Objectives: Power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) is used to verify the efficacy of a current treatment strategy. Changes of synovial perfusion in arthritic joints are evaluated using quantitative three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler analyses (voxel count) under anti-inflammatory treatment with adalimumab in arthritis patients. Methods: Inflamed joints of 24 patients with active arthritis were examined by two independent ultrasound investigators during 4 follow up visits under initiation of treatment with the TNF-alpha inhibitor adalimumab. US was performed with a HDI 5000 (ATL/Philips, Bothell, WA/USA) using a linear…