Short-term follow-up of the juvenile rheumatoid knee with fat-saturated 3D MRI

Cakmakci H., Kovanlikaya A., Unsal E.

PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY, no.3, pp.189-195, 2001 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s002470000371
  • Journal Name: PEDIATRIC RADIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.189-195
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective. To determine the correlation between clinical status and 3D, fat-saturated contrast-enhanced MRI findings in assessing the response to treatment in patients with knee-joint involvement from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Materials and methods. Synovial hypertrophy, effusion, cartilage and epiphyseal status were scored using spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted, SE T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced, fat-suppressed 3D MRI in 42 knees of 21 patients. MRI findings were evaluated by scoring results and compared with the clinical scoring results. Progression, improvement and equivalence were analysed between 0-3 and 3-6 months, both clinically and by MRI. Results. Fat-suppression imaging generated high contrast between cartilage, synovium, effusion and bone. Correlation coefficients according to progression, improvement and equivalent findings of months 1-3 and months 3-6 comparison of clinical and MRI scores were found to be 0.50 and 0.70, respectively. Conclusion. Contrast-enhanced 3D MRI with fat suppression provides good discrimination between synovial hypertrophy and fluid. Fat-suppressed imaging offers better contrast between cartilage and synovium. Long-term MRI follow-up of JRA improves direct follow-up of pathological changes and helps in modifying treatment regimens.