Magnetic resonance imaging of nail unit in psoriatic arthritis.
The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has modified the imaging strategies of inflammatory arthritides. In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), MRI study of the nail unit identifies nail involvement that appears as the initial lesion for induction of distal phalanx damage and consequently of distal interphalangeal joint arthritis. All psoriatic patients, also in the absence of a clinically evident onychopathy, show characteristic MRI changes of the nail. This evidence could have practical diagnostic value because MRI study of the nail could document diagnosis in patients with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies who have barely evident psoriasis. We discuss the advantages and problems related to the use of low- and high-field MRI in the study of the nail unit of patients with PsA.
Soscia
Ernesto
E
Rheumatology Research Unit, Early Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Scarpa
Raffaele
R
Cimmino
Marco Amedeo
MA
Atteno
Mariangela
M
Peluso
Rosario
R
Sirignano
Cesare
C
Costa
Luisa
L
Iervolino
Salvatore
S
Caso
Francesco
F
Del Puente
Antonio
A
Salvatore
Marco
M
Soricelli
Andrea
A
D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology*