Magnetic resonance imaging in osteoarthritis: which method best reflects synovial membrane inflammation?

Summary Objectives : To study synovial membrane (SM) inflammation near the patella with different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches performed using a T1-injected sequence in knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to compare MRI results with macroscopic, microscopic and clinical findings. Methods Fifteen patients fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for knee OA and requiring joint lavage completed a functional index (Lequesne's functional index) and a pain visual analog scale (VAS). SM inflammation near the patella was assessed on axial fat saturation post-injected T1 MRI images using three different methods: (1) semi-quantitative score = MRI synovitis score; (2) synovial membrane volume (SMV) analysis; (3) SMV with low (SMVL) (