EDITORIAL - The use of MRI in early RA

October 17, 2008

Rheumatology Advance Access originally published online on August 13, 2008

Rheumatology 2008 47(11):1597-1599; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ken332

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDITORIALS

The use of MRI in early RA

F. M. McQueen1

1Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Introduction

MRI is becoming an integral part of the rheumatologist's toolkit, both

for assisting in the diagnosis of RA and for monitoring disease

progression and the response to therapy. However, as is the case for

all imaging and indeed investigations in general, it has its

limitations and there are pitfalls for the unwary. While many

rheumatologists are happy to liase with radiologists and seek their

advice for the interpretation of scan results, there is now much

information regarding the clinical significance of MRI findings that

is primarily in the rheumatology literature (with which many

radiologists are unfamiliar), making it increasingly important for

clinicians to have at least a summary knowledge of these advances. New

developments in imaging have entered the clinical arena at just the

same time as advances in therapeutics and the strategy for effectively

managing RA is changing rapidly, with the emphasis now on the very

early use of disease-suppressing therapy with agents including

biological DMARDs (bDMARDs), aiming to completely suppress erosions

and joint damage. The expense and occasional risk associated with this

strategy means that diagnostic accuracy is even more important than

previously, as is tailoring high-cost therapies to those most at risk

for aggressive disease. MRI can be most helpful as an addition to

conventional radiography, to assist the clinician in achieving optimal

management for the individual patient.

***********************************************

Read the full editorial here:

Not an MD

Recommended Posts