Ultrasound in Scleroderma

Ultrasound (US) has an emergent and relevant role in the assessment of musculoskeletal disease and skin in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), even if there are almost many fields and applications that were not still sufficiently explored until now. In this review, we will report an update of the available data regarding the employment of US in joints, tendons, peripheral nerves and skin involvement in SSc. The assessment of heart, kidney, lung or vascular involvement in SSc will not be the subjects of this paper. The routinary use of musculoskeletal US in SSc patient has not yet been adequately disseminated and, in the future, we hope that it will be included in the daily practice and clinical trials, to evaluate correctly some important aspects of the disease that might cause disability and worsening of quality of life.