Using Extremity MRI to Assess & Monitor Early RA: the Optimal Joint Combination to Be Scanned in Clinical Practice

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Using Extremity Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Assess and Monitor Early

Rheumatoid Arthritis: the Optimal Joint Combination to Be Scanned in

Clinical Practice

http://www.jrheum.com/abstracts/abstracts08/580.html

(First Release Mar 1 2008; J Rheumatol 2008;35:580-3)

EWA OLECH, JANE E. FREESTON, PHILIP G. CONAGHAN, ELIZABETH M.A. HENSOR, PAUL

EMERY, and DAVID YOCUM

ABSTRACT.

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.