title: MRI for assessing erosion and joint space narrowing in inflammatory arthropathies.
abstract: The superior soft tissue contrast and multiplanar capability of magnetic resonance imaging has contributed to earlier diagnosis and implementation of effective treatment for a variety of arthropathies. Owing to overlapping clinical signs and symptoms, MRI plays a role in delineating the features and stages of these conditions. With the advent of disease-modifying therapies, it is important to diagnose inflammatory arthropathy as early as possible. In this chapter, we discuss the pathophysiology of bone erosion and joint space narrowing, as well as the role of MRI in the imaging of the seropositive and seronegative inflammatory arthropathies.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Division and Department of Radiology, The George Washington University, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA. mmomeni@mfa.gwu.edu
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Momeni
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brindle
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000473:pathology