Ultrasound Features of Dupuytren's Disease: Echogenicity, Skin Involvement and Microvascularisation
Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a benign and progressive condition that affects the palmar aponeurosis with a very high global incidence. It can result in significant loss of hand function or can inhibit an individual's daily activities or work. Current diagnostics rely on Range Of Motion (ROM) measurements and clinical expertise, where the decision for treatment is primarily based on patient preferences with little scientific research supporting different options in different cases. With technological advancements new options arise to the possible diagnostic tools we can use for evidence based medicine and shared decision making. One option comes to light for DD because of its cheap, non -invasive and no radiation load, namely ultrasound (US). The use of US for DD is not standard care, due to the lack of research surrounding this tool. This study will provide some insight into the use of US for DD and will primarily try to evaluate different parameters measurable with US that can be used as potential prognostic biomarkers.
• Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or their legally authorized representative has been obtained prior to any screening procedures
• Clinical diagnosis of DD and a Tubiana staging not exceeding stage II, TPED does not exceed 90°; this is chosen because to great of a contracture will pose problems with taking the US measurement.
• In the clinical assessment the subject has rather soft DD nodules, more firm nodules are more fibrotic and are less likely to contain blood vessels. This will be confirmed by a hand surgeon at the screening phase.
• Participant has self reported rapid progression. In the anamnesis the subject reports one of the following: The DD lesion has changed in degree of contracture/nodule size recently; the patient is worried about the function of the involved fingers/hand due to recent progression; the patient is new to DD or has just started experiencing greater discomfort due to a previous existing nodule.
• Participant agrees to not undergo any form of surgical treatment for DD during the duration of their participation, being 6 months.
• Participant agrees to return to the clinic after 6 months voluntarily for follow-up measurements.