High-resolution imaging of bone and joint architecture in rheumatoid arthritis.
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by local and systemic bone loss caused by increased bone resorption. We describe the current utilization of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in the evaluation of bone and joint in RA.


METHODS
PubMed was searched for publications using keywords that included 'bone microarchitecture', 'high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography' and 'rheumatoid arthritis'.


RESULTS
HR-pQCT may simultaneously allow assessment of trabecular and cortical bone parameters and be a useful method for depicting bone erosions.


RESULTS
HR-pQCT only assesses bone microarchitecture at the distal radius and tibia. Controversy exists regarding the optimal way to differentiate cortical and trabecular regions.


CONCLUSIONS
Although HR-pQCT is currently a research tool, there is potential for its use in the clinical diagnosis and management in RA. Further research is required to evaluate the clinical relevance of imaging abnormalities identified in RA patients.
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Rd, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, UK.
Julien
J
Paccou
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Rd, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, UK.
Mark
M
Edwards
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Rd, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, UK.
Charlotte
C
Moss
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Rd, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, UK.
Elaine
E
Dennison
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Rd, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, UK cc@mrc.soton.ac.uk.
Cyrus
C
Cooper
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents
bone turnover markers; fracture; high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography; microarchitecture and bone erosions; rheumatoid arthritis; volumetric bone mineral density