<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Scleroderma is a rare, autoimmune, chronic condition that affects the connective tissue by excessive collagen production. If diagnosed before the age of 16, it is referred to as juvenile scleroderma. There are two major types of the condition: localized and generalized scleroderma. Localized scleroderma has a much higher incidence than the generalized type which is extremely rare among children and affects mostly adults. In either case, imaging can prove to be useful in both the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. In this article, we aim to review the imaging findings that can be present in juvenile scleroderma, focusing on ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and classic radiography. Ultrasound provides high-resolution images in real-time dynamic examination. With high-frequency transducers, it may provide a considerable input into the imaging of skin and musculoskeletal involvement. Several findings might be present when using B-mode or Doppler modalities such as thickening and hypervascularization of the cutis and subcutaneous tissue, synovitis and tenosynovitis, as well as small calcifications. Magnetic resonance imaging is also useful to evaluate inflammatory skin infiltration or skin atrophy, as well as deeply located structures, including fasciae, muscles and joints that might not be seen on ultrasonography. This modality is, however, expensive and time-consuming, and might require sedition in children. Classic radiology can show soft tissue calcifications, acroosteolysis, contractures, and subluxations. Computed tomography, which requires a high dose of radiation, is generally avoided in children, except in very specific cases.</p>
</abstract>

Scleroderma is a rare, autoimmune, chronic condition that affects the connective tissue by excessive collagen production. If diagnosed before the age of 16, it is referred to as juvenile scleroderma. There are two major types of the condition: localized and generalized scleroderma. Localized scleroderma has a much higher incidence than the generalized type which is extremely rare among children and affects mostly adults. In either case, imaging can prove to be useful in both the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. In this article, we aim to review the imaging findings that can be present in juvenile scleroderma, focusing on ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and classic radiography. Ultrasound provides high-resolution images in real-time dynamic examination. With high-frequency transducers, it may provide a considerable input into the imaging of skin and musculoskeletal involvement. Several findings might be present when using B-mode or Doppler modalities such as thickening and hypervascularization of the cutis and subcutaneous tissue, synovitis and tenosynovitis, as well as small calcifications. Magnetic resonance imaging is also useful to evaluate inflammatory skin infiltration or skin atrophy, as well as deeply located structures, including fasciae, muscles and joints that might not be seen on ultrasonography. This modality is, however, expensive and time-consuming, and might require sedition in children. Classic radiology can show soft tissue calcifications, acroosteolysis, contractures, and subluxations. Computed tomography, which requires a high dose of radiation, is generally avoided in children, except in very specific cases.

Ultrasonography, MRI and classic radiography of skin and MSK involvement in juvenile scleroderma

Journal of Ultrasonography

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Scleroderma is a rare, autoimmune, chronic condition that affects the connective tissue by excessive collagen production. If diagnosed before the age of 16, it...

Ultrasonography, MRI and classic radiography of skin and MSK involvement in juvenile scleroderma

Article Category: research-article

Published Online: Dec 18, 2020

Page range: 311 - 317

Received: Sep 30, 2020

Accepted: Oct 26, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15557/jou.2020.0054

Keywords
scleroderma, juvenile, ultrasonography, musculoskeletal system, skin

© 2021 Polish Ultrasound Society. Published by Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Ultrasonography, MRI and classic radiography of skin and MSK involvement in juvenile scleroderma

Article Category: research-article

Published Online: Dec 18, 2020

Page range: 311 - 317

Received: Sep 30, 2020

Accepted: Oct 26, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15557/jou.2020.0054

Keywordsscleroderma, juvenile, ultrasonography, musculoskeletal system, skin

© 2021 Polish Ultrasound Society. Published by Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
scleroderma, juvenile, ultrasonography, musculoskeletal system, skin