Magnetic resonance imaging of dialysis-related amyloidosis of the shoulder and hip.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of MRI in identifying abnormalities of the periarticular structures in patients with symptoms of dialysis-related amyloid arthropathy.


METHODS
MR images of shoulders and hips in 5 dialysis patients with symptoms of amyloid arthropathy were compared to images of shoulders and hips in 4 asymptomatic dialysis patients, shoulders in 9 nondialysis patients, and hips in 12 nondialysis patients. These were evaluated for the presence of focal periarticular osseous lesions, tendinous and capsular thickening, and periarticular fluid.


RESULTS
Increased thickness of the supraspinatus tendon was found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Capsular thickening at the hip was present in all symptomatic patients, and in 3 of 8 asymptomatic hips. Joint and bursal fluid was common in the symptomatic group, and was present in some asymptomatic individuals. Osseous lesions were detected in the absence of plain film findings, and demonstrated variable signal intensity.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is useful in detecting signs of dialysis-related amyloidosis. Findings of a milder degree in asymptomatic dialysis patients suggests that MRI may also be valuable in the early diagnosis of this syndrome.
Escobedo
E M
EM
Department of Radiology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98108, USA.
Hunter
J C
JC
Zink-Brody
G C
GC
Andress
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors