Clinical utility of ultrasound and MRI in rheumatoid arthritis: An expert review.
Authors
Affiliations (8)
Affiliations (8)
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- Division of Rheumatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- Division of Rheumatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
Abstract
Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are advanced imaging techniques that are increasingly important in the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have significantly enhanced the rheumatologist's ability to assess RA disease activity and progression. This review serves as a five-year update to our previous publication on the contemporary role of imaging in RA, emphasizing the continued importance of MSUS and MRI in clinical practice and their expanding utility. The review examines the role of MSUS in diagnosing RA, differentiating RA from mimickers, scoring systems and quality control measures, novel longitudinal approaches to disease monitoring, and patient populations that may benefit most from MSUS. It also examines the role of MRI in diagnosing pre-clinical and early RA, disease activity monitoring, research and clinical trials, and development of alternative scoring approaches utilizing artificial intelligence. Finally, the role of MRI in RA diagnosis and management is summarized, and selected practice points offer key tips for integrating MSUS and MRI into clinical practice.