TY - JOUR T1 - Using extremity magnetic resonance imaging to assess and monitor early rheumatoid arthritis: the optimal joint combination to be scanned in clinical practice. JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 580 LP - 583 VL - 35 IS - 4 AU - Ewa Olech AU - Jane E Freeston AU - Philip G Conaghan AU - Elizabeth M A Hensor AU - Paul Emery AU - David Yocum Y1 - 2008/04/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/4/580.abstract N2 - OBJECTIVE: To identify the optimal combination for detecting erosions in early rheumatoid arthritis using extremity magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI). METHODS: In 44 patients, eMRI of 1 hand identified 77% who were erosive, 2 hands 89%, and 2 hands and feet 91%. RESULTS: eMRI identified 4 times as many erosions as radiography. At 6 months, eMRI of 1 hand identified an increase in erosions in 50% subjects, 2 hands in 55%, and 2 hands and feet in 55%. When only subjects with a change in erosion score above the smallest detectable difference were considered, these numbers were 30%, 25%, and 20%, respectively. CONCLUSION: eMRI provides superior erosion identification compared to radiography. Imaging 2 hands can be used as a screening tool and 1 hand to monitor erosions over time. ER -