Quantification of rheumatoid synovitis by magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a method for quantifying acute synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
Gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced MRI was performed in 21 patients with knee synovitis. Changes in synovial membrane signal intensity were identified and quantified by line profile analysis. Multiple synovial biopsies were obtained by a blind biopsy technique, and standard clinical and laboratory measurements of disease activity were recorded.


RESULTS
The rate of synovial membrane enhancement correlated with histologic features of acute inflammation (r = 0.63, P < 0.01), but not with clinical or laboratory assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic MRI is a valuable technique for assessing acute synovial inflammation in RA.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013585:Synovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA