ABSTRACT
Sixty-four examinations of the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by magnetic resonance imaging using a 0.23 TESLA magnet showed a great sensitivity in detecting proliferative partly exudative or destructive synovialitis, as is common in rheumatoid arthritis. In accordance to the Larsen system for grading rheumatoid arthritis lesions by conventional x-ray, we establish a clinically relevant magnetic resonance grading system which is able to diversify the stages of destruction and inflammative activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Wrist Joint/pathology , Adult , Aged , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/classification , Cartilage, Articular/pathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Alterations of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxation time and intensity can be helpful in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lesions like synovial infiltration, local inflammation and exudation. Fast low angle shot magnetic resonance imaging (FLASH-MRI) is a rapid method showing anatomy and inflammatory pathology of the examined joint comparable to late spin echo T2 images. The following study presents our results of FLASH-MRI wrist examinations of 15 patients suffering from RA according the ARA criteria and 10 healthy volunteers compared to T1 and T2 weighted MR-images and conventional X-rays.
