Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Peripheral Joints and Spine

Monique Reijnierse*, Annette Van Der Helm-Mil, Iris Eshed, Claudia Schueller-Weidekamm

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Both the fields of rheumatology and radiology are changing rapidly. Effective medication has become available for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and transformed it from a progressive disabling disease into a chronic disease. Indications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have changed accordingly, shifting toward early detection. There is also an overall increased clinical demand for high-end imaging. Together with improvement of MRI units and sequences, MRI protocols are adapted based on clinical indications. This article addresses (1) the clinical background and present role of MRI in early disease detection, (2) RA involvement of peripheral joints, (3) RA involvement of the spine, and (4) state-of-the-art RA MRI protocols. The key toward cost-effective MRI examination in RA is communication between radiologist and rheumatologist as well as awareness and knowledge of the basics and advancements in both fields.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)127-146
Number of pages20
JournalSeminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology
Volume22
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2018

Keywords

  • inflammation
  • joints
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • spine

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