It can be classified according to their configuration , shape , content , and can be described specifically with an anatomical term . “
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the development of osseous and cartilaginous damage .
The correct differentiation between a true erosion and other entities — then often called “ pseudoerosions”—is essential to avoid misdiagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and to correctly interpret the progress of the disease .
The aims of this systematic review were as follows : to create a definition and delineation of the term “ pseudoerosion ” , to point out morphological pitfalls in the interpretation of images , and to report on difficulties arising from choosing different imaging modalities .
MR imaging findings in hands in early rheumatoid arthritis: comparison with those in systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjögren syndrome.
PURPOSE To evaluate prospect ively the use of magnetic resonance ( MR ) imaging for differentiating true rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) from systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ) or primary Sjögren syndrome in patients who have inflammatory polyarthralgia of the h and s but no radiographic evidence of RA . MATERIAL S AND METHODS This study had institutional review board approval , and patient informed consent was obtained . Twenty-eight patients ( 16 female and 12 male patients ; mean age , 42 years ) with early RA and 19 patients ( 18 female and one male patient ; mean age , 46 years ) with SLE ( n = 14 ) or primary Sjögren syndrome ( n = 5 ) underwent MR imaging of both h and s.  All patients had inflammatory polyarthralgia of the h and s and no evidence of erosive changes on radiographs . Coronal T2-weighted short inversion time inversion-recovery , transverse T1-weighted spin-echo , transverse fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo , and transverse gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional gradient-echo MR images were obtained . The following MR imaging variables were assessed in the wrist and nonthumb metacarpophalangeal joints : synovitis , bone lesions ( erosion , defect , and edema ) , and tenosynovitis . Synovitis and bone lesions were scored with the OMERACT RA-MRI scoring system . Findings in patients with RA and those without RA were compared by means of Mann-Whitney , chi2 , and Fisher exact tests . RESULTS The only significant difference between the two groups in terms of individual scores for synovitis , bone lesions , and tenosynovitis was the more frequent presence of tenosynovitis of the right fourth extensor tendon in patients without RA ( P = .04 ) . There were no significant differences between patients with RA and those without RA in terms of global scores for synovitis , bone lesions , and tenosynovitis . However , bone marrow edema in the metacarpophalangeal joints was seen more frequently in patients with RA ( P < .001 ) . CONCLUSION It may be impossible to distinguish between patients with early RA and those without RA ( ie , those with SLE or primary Sjögren syndrome ) by means of MR imaging
It can be classified according to their configuration , shape , content , and can be described specifically with an anatomical term . “
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the development of osseous and cartilaginous damage .
The correct differentiation between a true erosion and other entities — then often called “ pseudoerosions”—is essential to avoid misdiagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and to correctly interpret the progress of the disease .
The aims of this systematic review were as follows : to create a definition and delineation of the term “ pseudoerosion ” , to point out morphological pitfalls in the interpretation of images , and to report on difficulties arising from choosing different imaging modalities .