RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Hand in Systemic Sclerosis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 961
OP 964
DO 10.3899/jrheum.080795
VO 36
IS 5
A1 ANDREA H.L. LOW
A1 MATTHEW LAX
A1 SINDHU R. JOHNSON
A1 PETER LEE
YR 2009
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/5/961.abstract
AB Objective. To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated arthropathy. Methods. MRI of the hand was performed in patients presenting with joint pain/swelling in order (1) to determine the frequency of inflammation on MRI, and (2) to compare MRI with radiography. Results. Of 17 patients with SSc, 10 (59%) had inflammatory MRI findings with synovitis (n = 8), erosions (n = 7), joint effusion (n = 7), or tenosynovitis (n = 8). Bone edema was present in 9 patients. Of 7 patients with MRI erosions, only 2 had radiographic erosions. Conclusion. Our study illustrates the usefulness of MRI in the accurate diagnosis and characterization of SSc-associated arthropathy.