title: Challenges in imaging in preclinical rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: There exists a preclinical phase to the disease progression of rheumatoid arthritis, in which there is evidence of autoimmunity but no overt clinical arthritis. Identifying patients in this phase would allow for early treatment, to potentially halt manifestation of the disease. Imaging, because it is noninvasive, provides an appealing alternative to gold-standard synovial biopsies for identification of these preclinical patients. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography all have their advantages and disadvantages as imaging modalities in this regard. Further research into alternative imaging modalities with larger cohorts is required to determine the most effective technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E70th Street, New York City, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Marcusa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E70th Street, New York City, NY 10021, USA. Electronic address: MandlL@hss.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mandl
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013585:Synovitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
keywords: Imaging; Inflammatory arthritis; Preclinical