Characteristics of musculoskeletal ultrasound versus X-ray in their differential diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) versus X-ray for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed (57 knees) with KOA by arthroscopy were collected in our study. Additionally, fifty age - and gender matched healthy volunteers undergoing a physical examination during the same period were recruited as controls. All the healthy volunteers had no symptoms and imaging findings of KOA. All the subjects were examined by MSUS and X-ray. The diagnostic efficacy of the two imaging meathods was analyzed separately to evaluate the diagnostic value of MSUS and X-ray in patients with KOA. Results: The detection rate of KOA by MSUS was higher than that by X-ray (P<0.05). MSUS achieved a sensitivity of 92.98%, specificity of 78.95%, and accuracy of 89.17% in the diagnosis of KOA, while X-ray achieved a sensitivity of 73.28%, specificity of 58.94%, and accuracy of 63.69%; which indicated that the diagnostic efficacy of MSUS was higher than that of X-ray (P<0.05). Compared with X ray, there was a higher diagnostic accordance rate and a lower misdiagnosis rate with MSUS (P<0.05). Conclusion: MSUS achieved a higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the diagnosis of KOA than X ray.