Assessment of structural damage progression in established rheumatoid arthritis by conventional radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging

Lykke Midtbøll Ørnbjerg*, Mikkel Østergaard

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Structural damage progression in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has traditionally been assessed by conventional radiography (CR), which has proven its value in clinical practice and clinical trials over the past decades. The most prominent abnormalities visualized by CR in RA patients are erosions as a consequence of bone destruction and joint space narrowing (JSN) as a consequence of cartilage damage. Several validated scoring systems to quantify the structural joint damage and progression herein are available. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are newer, more sensitive methods for detection and monitoring of structural joint damage. A validated scoring system for magnetic resonance imaging of the hands and wrists exists, while no consensus has been reached on a scoring system for computed tomography. Structural damage identified by either CR or magnetic resonance imaging predicts a poorer disease course in patients with both early and established rheumatoid arthritis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101481
JournalBest Practice and Research: Clinical Rheumatology
Volume33
Issue number5
ISSN1521-6942
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Computed tomography
  • Conventional radiography
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

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