title: Magnetic resonance imaging of the hand in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated arthropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  MRI of the hand was performed in patients presenting with joint pain/swelling in order (1) to determine the frequency of inflammation on MRI, and (2) to compare MRI with radiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 17 patients with SSc, 10 (59%) had inflammatory MRI findings with synovitis (n = 8), erosions (n = 7), joint effusion (n = 7), or tenosynovitis (n = 8). Bone edema was present in 9 patients. Of 7 patients with MRI erosions, only 2 had radiographic erosions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study illustrates the usefulness of MRI in the accurate diagnosis and characterization of SSc-associated arthropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea H L
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lax
authors.forename: Sindhu R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lee