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In-office magnetic resonance imaging to monitor responses to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

Low-field extremity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been developed as an alternative method for detecting inflammatory changes and structural damage associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have shown that extremity MRI is able to predict future joint damage in patients with early RA and is more sensitive than conventional radiography at detecting joint erosions. This report uses four different cases to illustrate how extremity MRI can be used to monitor disease activity and inform treatment decisions during the management of RA in the routine clinical practice setting.

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Acknowledgments

Support for third-party writing assistance for this manuscript, furnished by Neil Anderson, was provided by Genentech, Inc. and Biogen Idec.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Specialties, 21097 NE 27th, Court Suite 200, Aventura, FL, 31180, USA

    Norman B. Gaylis

  2. Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Specialties, Aventura, Boca Radiology Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    Steven D. Needell

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  1. Norman B. Gaylis
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  2. Steven D. Needell
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Correspondence to Norman B. Gaylis.

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Gaylis, N.B., Needell, S.D. In-office magnetic resonance imaging to monitor responses to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 30, 269–273 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-0927-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-0927-2

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