Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To investigate whether the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reflect rheumatoid synovitis. Methods. Dynamic imaging enhanced with gadolinium—diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid was performed on 10 affected knees of 9 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Changes in signal intensity were correlated with pathologic findings in synovial biopsy specimens obtained during total knee arthroplasty. Results. Enhancement was greater in regions with a higher degree of fibrin exudation, cellular infiltration, villous hypertrophy, vascular proliferation, and granulation formation. Conclusion. Dynamic MRI can be used for assessing local disease activity in rheumatoid synovium.