MRI EVALUATION OF DEXAMETHASONE ACETATE THERAPY FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS INTHE HAND

A patient with clinically diagnosed Stage I primary idiopathic osteoar thritis of the first metacarpal trapezium joint of the left hand recei ved intra-articular administration of dexamethasone acetate. Compared to pretreatment T-2-weighted MR images, greatly decreased MR signal in tensity was observed in the affected joint space and adjacent soft tis sues 2 days after dexamethasone acetate therapy. This was representati ve of reduced edema in the metacarpal trapezium joint and demonstrated the ability of MRI to follow pharmacological treatment for arthritis.