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Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis: demonstration of progression between 1 and 6 years

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Abstract

Objective

To describe the changes seen in the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging obtained at 1 year and 6 years.

Design

A cohort of patients with RA has been studied prospectively from symptom onset.

Patients

MR scans of the dominant wrist in 31 patients obtained at 1 year and 6 years were compared for bone erosions, marrow signal change (oedema), synovial thickness and tenosynovitis.

Results

Twenty-two patients had an increase in erosion score in the interval and three patients showed a decrease in erosion score suggesting erosion healing. Fourteen patients had an increase in oedema score in the interval and eight patients had a decrease in oedema score. Synovial thickness increased in 13 patients and decreased in eight. Tenosynovitis increased in 15 patients and decreased in five. Bone erosions developed immediately adjacent to the tenosynovitis in two patients.

Conclusions

MR imaging is useful in following the progress of bone erosions, marrow oedema, synovitis and tenosynovitis in RA.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Rika Nel and the other technical staff at Auckland Radiology Group who supervised the MR scans and Sue Yeoman at Auckland Hospital Rheumatology Department who coordinated the patient MR bookings and clinical visits for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Auckland Hospital, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand

    Neal R. Stewart

  2. Auckland Radiology Group, 101 Remuera Road, Auckland, New Zealand

    Neal R. Stewart & Jeffrey P. Crabbe

  3. Department of Rheumatology, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

    Fiona M. McQueen

Authors
  1. Neal R. Stewart
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  2. Jeffrey P. Crabbe
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  3. Fiona M. McQueen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neal R. Stewart.

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Stewart, N.R., Crabbe, J.P. & McQueen, F.M. Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis: demonstration of progression between 1 and 6 years. Skeletal Radiol 33, 704–711 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-004-0839-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-004-0839-x

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