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Insights into Rheumatoid Arthritis from Use of MRI

  • IMAGING (P CONAGHAN, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is ideal for imaging the joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. It produces anatomically detailed images of bone, cartilage, tendons and synovial membrane. It can reveal structural damage, in the form of bone erosion, cartilage thinning and/or tendon rupture, and regions of inflammation, using sequences that reveal water content and vascularity. MRI synovitis, tenosynovitis and bone oedema/osteitis all have prognostic significance, and MRI studies of RA have helped elucidate the mechanisms whereby bone and synovial inflammation lead to joint damage. Bone oedema/osteitis has become an important imaging biomarker, and can be used to help predict progression from undifferentiated arthritis to definite RA. Recent MRI studies have confirmed that subclinical inflammation is often present in patients in clinical remission, and these data may affect disease management. Finally, recent clinical trials are reviewed, in which MRI outcome measures are being established as sensitive response markers.

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Fiona M. McQueen and Estee Chan declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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  1. Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Rd, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand

    Fiona M. McQueen

  2. Department of Rheumatology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand

    Fiona M. McQueen & Estee Chan

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  1. Fiona M. McQueen
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Correspondence to Fiona M. McQueen.

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McQueen, F.M., Chan, E. Insights into Rheumatoid Arthritis from Use of MRI. Curr Rheumatol Rep 16, 388 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-013-0388-1

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