Arthritic temporomandibular joint: correlation of macromolecular contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters and histopathologic findings.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the utility of macromolecular contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging parameters for determining the histopathologic severity of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis.


METHODS
Ovalbumin was used to induce arthritis in the TMJs of 10 previously sensitized adult white rabbits. Five rabbits composed the sham-treated control group. Dynamic spin-echo imaging was performed immediately before and for 30 minutes after injection of macromolecular contrast medium. Histologic specimens of TMJ were assessed quantitatively for arthritis. Changes in MR signal intensity were derived from the synovial and subsynovial tissues of the TMJ, and plasma volume (PV) and permeability surface area product (PS) were calculated. These MR parameters and the arthritic scores were compared between sham-treated and antigen-challenged TMJs. The relationships between MR parameters and histopathologic indexes were also determined.


RESULTS
Arthritic TMJs showed marked enhancement of the synovial and subsynovial tissues over the imaging period. PS and all histopathologic indexes of arthritis were significantly greater (P < .005) in antigen-challenged than in sham-treated TMJs. PS demonstrated strong positive relationships with all histologic parameters of arthritis, indicating its utility for assessing the severity of joint inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Macromolecular contrast-enhanced MR imaging enables quantification of PS and PV in inflamed joints. This technique may provide insights into the pathogenesis of joint inflammation and noninvasive monitoring of disease severity and treatment response in arthritis.
van Dijke
C F
CF
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, 94143-0640, USA.
Kirk
B A
BA
Peterfy
C G
CG
Genant
H K
HK
Brasch
R C
RC
Kapila
S
S
D000418:Albumins; D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015588:Observer Variation; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010047:Ovalbumin; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011817:Rabbits; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D000418:Albumins; D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C058946:albumin-(gadolinium-DTPA); D004369:Pentetic Acid; D010047:Ovalbumin; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA