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 .
Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist in early rheumatoid arthritis reveals a high prevalence of erosions at four months after symptom onset
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) of the wrist in detecting early joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) . METHODS  MRI was performed on 42 patients with early RA ( median symptom duration of four months ) . Scans were scored separately by two musculoskeletal radiologists using a newly devised scoring system , which was vali date d. MRI findings were compared with plain radiography , clinical measures , and HLA-DRB*01/04 genotyping . RESULTS Interobserver reliability for the overall MRI score was high ( r = 0.81 ) as was intraobserver reliability ( r = 0.94 for observer 1 and 0.81 for observer 2 ) . There was more variation in scoring synovitis ( interobserver reliability : r = 0.74 ) . Erosions were detected in 45 % of scans ( 19 of 42 ) , compared with 15 % of plain radiographs . The most common site for erosions was the capitate ( 39 % ) , for synovitis the ulnar aspect of the radiocarpal joint , and for tendonitis , the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon . The total MRI score and MRI synovitis score correlated most significantly with C reactive protein ( r = 0.40 and 0.42 respectively , p<0.01 ) . The MRI erosion score was highly correlated with MRI bone marrow oedema ( r = 0.83 ) as well as the Ritchie score and disease activity score ( r = 0.32 , p<0.05 ) . HLA-DRB1 * 04 or * 01 ( shared epitope + ve ) was found in 76 % of patients ; 84 % of those with MRI erosions and 69 % of those without ( NS , p = 0.3 ) . CONCLUSIONS A high proportion of RA patients develop MRI erosions very early in their disease , when plain radiography is frequently normal . MRI of the dominant wrist may identify those requiring early aggressive treatment
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 .