The role of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis

R.J. Wakefield¹, K.O. Kong¹, P.G. Conaghan¹, A.K. Brown¹, P.J. O'Connor², P. Emery¹

Academic Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine and 2Department of Radiology, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT
Advances in ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have provided new methods for evaluating early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Their diagnostic properties in terms of detecting primary pathology of RA (i.e., erosions, bone changes, synovitis, tenosynovitis, and effusion) are reviewed. High-resolution US plays a significant role in therapeutic and di-agnostic procedures. MRI also assists in the understanding of RA pathogenesis and joint mechanics.

Key words
Erosion, synovitis, tenosynovitis, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, rheumatoid arthritis.

Please address correspondence to: Prof. Paul Emery, MD FRCP, ARC Professor of Rheumatology, Academic Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, First Floor, Old Nurse's Home, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX, United Kingdom. 
E-mail: p.emery@leeds.ac.uk

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2003; 21: (Suppl. 31): S42-S49.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2003.