Satellite Rheumatology Clinics Benefit from Hand-Held Ultrasound

A hand-held ultrasound system is proving to be a very helpful tool for rheumatologists at satellite rheumatology clinics in the United Kingdom.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH; Reading, UK) is using SonoSite’s (Bothell, WA, USA) M-Turbo hand-carried ultrasound system to provide services to patients attending its satellite rheumatology clinics. Dr. Antoni Chan, a consultant rheumatologist at RBH, explained, “We aim to detect suspected rheumatoid or other forms of inflammatory arthritis as early as possible, since rapid initiation of treatment reduces long term damage and disability. Ultrasound plays a key role in this, as it is more sensitive to the initial signs of arthritis than X-ray imaging.”

The system is very versatile for abdominal, nerve, vascular, cardiac, venous access, pelvic, and superficial imaging. The M-Turbo ultrasound system provides excellent image quality with sharp contrast resolution and clear tissue delineation. This ultrasound equipment lets the user visualize detail, improving the ability to differentiate structures, vessels, and pathology.

“In addition to our clinics at RBH, we operate a number of outreach clinics which enable patients to receive treatment closer to home. We have two M-Turbo systems--one based primarily at the West Berkshire Community Hospital in Thatcham, the other transported between clinics at Wallingford, Henley, and Wokingham--allowing us to offer same day scans and increasing patient convenience. One of the main benefits of the instrument is its compact size; it is not too bulky or heavy, is durable, and fits easily into a car. Image quality is good, and we can visualize changes in the joints, and detect and treat arthritis earlier, which is highly beneficial to the patient. The response to treatment can be monitored--and demonstrated to patients--by comparing the initial baseline scan with subsequent ultrasound images. It’s a really nice way for patient and consultant to jointly make treatment decisions.”

SonoSite, Inc. is a provider of bedside and point-of-care ultrasound and ultrahigh-frequency microultrasound technology, and impedance cardiography equipment.

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Royal Berkshire Hospital