Arthropathy

Abstract

MRI is excellent in imaging patients with arthropathies and can detect changes much earlier than radiographs and other imaging studies. However, it should be reserved for hard to diagnose patients due to its higher cost and availability over radiographs. MRI can nicely demonstrate cartilage defects, synovitis, enthesitis, tenosynovitis, and bone marrow edema that are characteristic of various arthropathies. Administering contrast can be helpful to detect synovitis and early erosions as well as to distinguish joint or tendon sheath fluid from active synovitis. It is important to be familiar with the anatomic location and distribution of disease for the various arthritic processes to aid in diagnosis.