title: Magnetic resonance imaging of nail unit in psoriatic arthritis.
abstract: 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.
authors: Rheumatology Research Unit, Early Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Soscia
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Scarpa
authors: Marco Amedeo
authors: MA
authors: Cimmino
authors: Mariangela
authors: M
authors: Atteno
authors: Rosario
authors: R
authors: Peluso
authors: Cesare
authors: C
authors: Sirignano
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Costa
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Iervolino
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Caso
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Del Puente
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Salvatore
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Soricelli
mesh_terms: D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology*