MRI IN ASSESSMENT OF THE SYSTEMIC MANIFESTATIONS OF RHEUMATOLOGICAL DISEASE

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as complementary imaging modality to conventional radiography. The same diagnostic rules that a re used in the interpretation of the routine radiographs should be app lied to the analysis of MR images with the macroscopic spread of the d isease as a main diagnostic clue. MRI has been shown to be a sensitive tool in detecting early arthritic changes and erosions, inflammation in periarticular tendons and tendon sheaths, and in juxtaarticular bur sae. MRI plays a pivotal role in diagnosis of arthritis of the cranioc ervical junction and its complications. It also has been used effectiv ely to detect insufficiency fractures and osteonecrosis. MRI may be im portant in diagnosing early arthritis, in specifying the differential diagnosis of rheumatic disease, and in selecting subgroups of patients to provide tailored therapeutic regimens.