Joint, bone, spine : revue du rhumatisme
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Multicenter Study
Ultrasound characterization of ankle involvement in Löfgren syndrome.
Bilateral ankle arthritis is a classic diagnostic criterion for Löfgren syndrome. The objective of this study was to use ultrasonography to characterize the articular and periarticular involvement of the ankles in patients with Löfgren syndrome. ⋯ Contrary to the classical view, our results indicate that ankle involvement in Löfgren syndrome is more often abarticular than articular. The inclusion of bilateral ankle arthritis among the diagnostic criteria for Löfgren syndrome deserves reappraisal.
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Greater accuracy in clinical descriptions combined with advances in muscle histology and immunology have established that inflammatory myopathies (IMs), similarly to inflammatory rheumatic diseases, constitute a highly heterogeneous group of conditions. The topographic distribution, severity, and tempo of onset of the myopathy vary widely, and the histological findings distinguish at least five different profiles, which may reflect different pathophysiological processes. Most IMs are connective tissue diseases that can affect multiple organs, among which the most common targets are the skin, joints, and lungs. ⋯ These subgroups are also characterized by specific genetic and environmental factors. The advances made in the nosology of IMs have benefited the diagnosis, personalization of treatment strategies, and understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms. They can be expected to assist in the development of specific treatments.