Rheumatologic Imaging
 |
Steven Needell, M.D. presents "eMRI in Clinical Practice: A Radiologist's Perspective" |
Boca Radiology Group (BRG) is proud to be the nation's leader in providing interpretive telemedicine services to rheumatology practices throughout the United States. BRG offers high quality subspecialty interpretations over the internet utilizing high-speed, HIPAA- compliant teleradiology. Our professional services include supervision of MRI protocols, technologists and maintaining quality assurance. We provide prompt turnaround time of transcribed reports and immediate notification of significant findings.
MRI Techs:
Click here for
technical advice on <MRI positioning and RA protocol>.
MRI in Arthritis & Rheumatology
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 2.1 million people in the United States, peaking between 30-50 years of age. Early detection and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been shown to decrease morbidity and preserve patients' quality of life. Therapeutic medications (anti-THF therapy and conventional DMARDs) used to treat RA are quite expensive. Early identification of patients who will develop more severe, disabling disease assists our health care system in targeting which patients will benefit most from these therapies. Historically, x-ray has been considered the gold standard imaging test because of its ability to identify erosions although detection of erosions with radiographs may be delayed for up to 2 years and x-rays are unable to evaluate synovitis and osteitis in patients with aggressive disease. MRI is a sensitive modality for detection of bone marrow edema/osteitis, synovitis and erosions in RA, and has now developed an important role in therapeutic planning and assessment of treatment response. Extremity MR units using high resolution, submillimeter 3D MR imaging provide high sensitivity for early detection of disease and improved access to physicians and patients for evaluating longitudinal assessment of disease response to therapy.
Coronal 1mm 3D T1W (left) and STIR (right) coronal images at baseline (top row) show a large erosion of the 3rd metacarpal head with bone marrow edema/osteitis (arrows). 12 months later, the erosion has regressed (bottom row) following DMARD therapy. The patient's symptoms had improved as well. Coronal 1mm 3D T1 (left) and STIR (right) images of the wrist reveal diffuse synovitis, osteitis and poorly defined erosions throughout the carpus, consistent with active rheumatoid arthritis.
Recent abstracts & references evaluating MRI in Rheumatoid Arthritis
-------------------
Click below for more information about:
Esaote O-Scan Dedicated Extremity MRI
