title: MR imaging assessment of inflammatory, crystalline-induced, and infectious arthritides.
abstract: The role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating patients with inflammatory arthritides has evolved with the recent introduction of drugs capable of modifying disease activity and natural history. In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, active synovitis and bone marrow inflammation precede and predict bone and cartilage erosion. These imaging findings identify patients who can be treated early and aggressively to prevent future morbidity. Similarly, in gout and other crystalline disorders, specific diagnosis aided by imaging may lead to earlier medical and surgical management. Infected joints need the most rapid identification to institute immediate therapy and prevent irreversible cartilage destruction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, 510 South Kingshighway Boulevard, Campus Box 8131, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. demertzisj@mir.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Demertzis
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rubin
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006073:Gout / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis