Novel Complex Radiodiagnostics of Peripherial Arthropathies

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic peripherial arthritides are common diseases with soaring public health consequences. Our goal is to assess the role of photon-counting detector computed tomography in the diagnostics of peripherial arthropathies.

Detailed Description
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Background: Chronic peripherial arthritides include immune-mediated (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis) and crystal deposition diseases (gout, pseudogout, hydroxiapatite-deposition disease). Conventional radiographs are utilized to screen arthritis-associated deformities, bone erosions and joint space narrowing. MRI is able to detect bone marrow edema, synovitis and the swelling of soft tissues. Sonography can also detect synovitis and soft tissue involvement but does not provide information about bone marrow edema and poorly assess erosions. Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) is a novel type of CT device which provides many advantages like improved signal-to-noise ratio, intrinsic spectral information, lower radiation exposure, and better spatial resolution. PCD-CT is a type of X-ray computed tomography in which X-rays are detected using a photon-counting detector. These detectors are able to directly transform X-ray photons into electrical signals. Compared to previous generation scintillation detectors, photon-counting detectors have several advantages: being able to count the charges created by individual x-ray photons and measuring their energy level also providing multi- energy spectral sensitivity. 0.2 mm slice thickness potentiates the detection of bone erosionss. Collagen-rich structures like cartilage, ligaments, and tendons are easier to identify on PCD-CT images. Bone marrow edema can be visualized with virtual non- calcium reconstruction. PCD-CT could both detect and differentiate cristal deposits. Aims: To assess the possible role of PCD-CT technique in the diagnostics of peripherial arthropathies.To compare the role of PCD-CT in the detection of arthritis-related pathologies with other imaging modalities like MRI and conventional radiography.

Official Title
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Novel Complex Radiodiagnostics of Peripherial Arthropathies

Conditions
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Arthritis, Psoriatic, Crystal Arthropathies

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Photon-counting detector-CT


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Rheumatoid arthritis (EULAR/ACR Criteria) / Psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR Criteria)/ Crystal arthropathies signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: age: <18 years, > 100 years pregnant breastfeeding

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Rheumatoid arthritis<br>Rheumatoid arthritis patients. (American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987, ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) >18 years Imaging studies: CT and X-ray/MRI/US Physical examination by the rheumatologist and laboratory tests which are conventionally necessary for the diagnosis (including RF, ACPA) | Device: Photon-counting detector-CT<br>* CT scan<br>|
| Psoriatic arthritis<br>Psoriatic arthritis patients. (CASPAR Criteria) >18 years Imaging studies: CT and X-ray/MRI/US Physical examination by the rheumatologist and laboratory tests which are conventionally necessary for the diagnosis. | Device: Photon-counting detector-CT<br>* CT scan<br>|
| Crystal arthropathies<br>Crystal arthropathies patients. >18 years Imaging studies: CT and X-ray/MRI/US Physical examination by the rheumatologist and laboratory tests which are conventionally necessary for the diagnosis. | Device: Photon-counting detector-CT<br>* CT scan<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bone erosions | To assess the detection of arthritis-related bone erosions with different imaging techniques, including PCD-CT. | From baseline to at least 2 years | 
| Bone marrow edema and periarticular soft tissue involvement | To assess the detection of arthritis-related bone marrow edema and periarticular soft tissue with different imaging techniques, including PCD-CT. | From baseline to at least 2 years | 
| Crystal deposit characterization | To detect the different crystal deposits with PCD-CT. | From baseline to at least 2 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To evaluate the performance of PCD-CT in the detection of active arthritis-related imaging findings and structural damages. | To compare the performance of PCD-CT with different modalities in the diagnostics of peripherial arthropathies. | From baseline to at least 3 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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photon-counting detector computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, crystal arthropathies