RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
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
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 580
OP 583
VO 35
IS 4
A1 Ewa Olech
A1 Jane E Freeston
A1 Philip G Conaghan
A1 Elizabeth M A Hensor
A1 Paul Emery
A1 David Yocum
YR 2008
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/4/580.abstract
AB 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.