To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of the rheumatoid wrist.
A Medline search was performed to identify all publications from the years 1985 to 1999 concerning MRI of the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Additional papers were retrieved by scanning the references to the Medline-listed articles. Details of the MRI technique, as well as clinical data, were analyzed and compared.
A total of 55 papers were identified. There were considerable variations in imaging sequence, section type, and slice thickness. Erosions and synovitis were the conditions that mostly profited from the adoption of MRI. Although the visualization of erosions was better detailed with MRI than with conventional radiography, erosions were only rarely related to clinical and laboratory parameters. Another advantage was that synovitis imaging, which can be enhanced by contrast agents, was amenable to quantitation. The extent of the synovial surface and the rate of contrast enhancement in a series of consecutive, rapidly acquired images were the most common measures.
MRI of the rheumatoid wrist is a useful technique to ascertain the criteria for diagnosis and progression of RA, and to monitor the effects of treatment. Implementation of a standardized protocol could further increase its value.