title: Scintigraphy for detecting tumour necrosis factor-α on the skin of patients with psoriatic arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the use of scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying the presence and amount of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the joint or skin of patients with psoriatic arthritis, to guide the course of treatment more efficiently.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the results of scintigraphy and MRI in two patients with psoriatic arthritis who underwent technetium-99m (99mTc)-anti-TNF-α scintigraphy, and MRI 5 days later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater uptake of99mTc-anti-TNF-α was observed in the left wrist and right second metacarpal in patient 1, and in the left ulnocarpal joint and distal interphalangeal joint of the left first metacarpal in patient 2. These results correlated with the MRI findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  99mTc-anti-TNF-α scintigraphy may recognize the molecule involved in the inflammatory process. This may provide crucial information to help physicians make decisions about which drugs to use based on biological evidence, and which are cost-effective and appropriate for the treatment of choice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that TNF-α has been shown in the skin of a patient using diagnostic imaging methods.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Radiology , Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Sal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: b Department of Rheumatology , Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nentzinsky
authors.affiliation: c Departament of Radiology , Fluminense Federal University , Niteroi , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ccm
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: do Carmo
authors.affiliation: d Department of Clinical Medicine , Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roimicher
authors.affiliation: a Department of Radiology , Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Lmb
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: da Fonseca
authors.affiliation: a Department of Radiology , Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gutfilen
mesh_terms: D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001938:Brazil; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha