Role of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Detection of Subclinical Findings in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic, immune-mediated condition primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract. However, up to 30-50% of IBD patients develop extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), with the musculoskeletal system being the most commonly affected. These manifestations may precede or follow gastrointestinal symptoms and contribute significantly to patient morbidity and quality-of-life reduction.

The musculoskeletal manifestations in IBD include peripheral arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), enthesitis, dactylitis, and sacroiliitis. These features overlap with those seen in the spondyloarthritis spectrum and may present subclinically. Clinical examination alone may underestimate the true burden of inflammation, especially enthesitis and tenosynovitis.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) has emerged as a sensitive, non-invasive, and reproducible imaging modality to detect both clinical and subclinical inflammation. It can visualize synovial hypertrophy, joint effusion, enthesitis, bursitis, and tenosynovitis, along with power Doppler (PD) signal indicative of active inflammation. MSK-US is particularly valuable in early disease detection and monitoring therapeutic response.

Studies have shown that a significant proportion of IBD patients have subclinical MSK involvement detectable only through imaging. In one study, up to 84% of asymptomatic IBD patients had at least one entheseal abnormality on ultrasound, reinforcing the utility of screening in high-risk populations.

Despite the increasing use of MSK-US, there is a lack of standardized scanning protocols specifically tailored for IBD patients, leading to variability in clinical practice and research. Protocol development can improve diagnostic accuracy, facilitate longitudinal monitoring, and aid in clinical decision-making and treatment stratification.