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Vasculitis of small and medium sized vessels mostly affects several organ systems and causes unspecific symptoms. The trunk, lungs, heart and the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts are most frequently involved. Due to an unclear clinical picture imaging is part and parcel of diagnostics. The knowledge of typical and rare imaging patterns as well as knowledge of the correct imaging method is crucial for classification. Projection radiography is still the gold standard for imaging of the lungs. Using computed tomography discrete ground-glass pattern opacities, nodules and consolidations can be depicted. In the abdomen computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can depict swelling of the intestinal wall. Digital subtraction angiography may contribute to further differentiation and reveal microaneurysms in cases of polyarteriitis nodosa.

ZusammenfassungZur Diagnostik initialer Veränderungen bei rheumatoider Arthritis (RA) werden neben der Projektionsradiographie (PR) im bilddiagnostischen Stufenkonzept die 3-Phasen- Skelettszintigraphie (3P-Sz) und die Magnetresonanz- Tomographie (MRT) eingesetzt. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die neu entwickelte Niederfeld-MRT mit den etablierten Verfahren (PR, 3P-Sz) in der Initialdiagnostik der RA an der Hand zu vergleichen. Methode: Bei 65 Patienten (47 w, 18 m; 20-86 Jahre) wurden an einem Tag 3P-Sz (550 MBq Tc-99m DPD), Niederfeld-MRT und PR der Hände durchgeführt. Alle Bilder wurden von zwei erfahrenen Nuklearmedizinern/Radiologen geblindet befundet und unterteilt in a) rheumatypische, b) entzündliche, nicht rheumatypische und c) nicht entzündliche Veränderungen sowie der 3P-Sz als Goldstandard gegenüber gestellt. Ergebnisse: Im Vergleich zur 3P-Sz zeigt die Niederfeld-MRT bei nahezu gleicher Sensitivität gegenüber rheumatypischen und entzündlichen Veränderungen nur eine gering niedrigere Spezifität. Bei der PR war sowohl bei rheumatypischen als auch bei entzündlichen Veränderungen die Sensitivität vermindert bei gleicher Spezifität wie die Niederfeld-MRT. Die quantitative Auswertung der 3P-Sz mittels ROI-Technik ergab signifikant höhere Werte bei rheumatypischen Veränderungen. Schlussfolgerung: Die Niederfeld-MRT stellt ein der 3PSz vergleichbar sensitives Verfahren in der Initialdiagnostik zum Nachweis rheumatypischer und entzündlicher Veränderungen im Bereich der Hände dar. Neben der Basisuntersuchung der PR empfiehlt sich die 3P-Sz durch Erhebung eines Ganzkörperstatus sowie quantitativer ROI-Technik für die weiterführende Diagnostik bei Verdacht auf RA.

The psoriatic arthritis magnetic resonance imaging scoring system (PsAMRIS-H) for the evaluation of inflammatory and destructive changes in PsA hands was validated on 0.6-T scanners. The applicability of the PsAMRIS-H on a low-field MRI system as a well-accepted, low-cost imaging modality was evaluated.In 65 consecutive patients (31 males, median age 52 years), 73 scans on a 0.2-T dedicated extremity MRI system were obtained for evaluation of PsA. Images were scored for synovitis, tenosynovitis, periarticular enhancement, bone erosion, bone oedema, and proliferation, and the PsAMRIS-H score was calculated. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated and the paired t-test conducted.Intra-reader reliability for the total PsAMRIS-H score was good, with an ICC of 0.81 and 0.77 for readers 1 and 2, respectively, and inter-reader agreement was moderate (0.57 for each reader). However, the PsAMRIS-H score differed significantly between the two readers (22 vs. 31; p0.05). When individual components of the PsAMRIS were evaluated, intra- and inter-reader agreement was poor to moderate, especially for tenosynovitis and periarticular inflammation.Low-field 0.2-T MRI is capable of quantifying the PsAMRIS-H with good intra-reader reproducibility. However, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), low spatial resolution, and system artefacts limit the application of the PsAMRIS-H, leading to low inter- and intra-reader agreement for individual features.

Besides the use of conventional x-rays in the diagnostic work-up of initial changes in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 3-phase bone scintigraphy (3P-Sz) is as well established as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of ultrasound of the hands with proven methods such as conventional x-rays, low-field MRI and 3P-Sz.A total of 30 patients were studied using a 1 day protocol with ultrasound, 3P-Sz, MRI and x-ray of the hands. Images were visually assessed by two blinded nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists and classified as RA typical and non-RA typical changes. All methods were compared to the summarized findings interpreted by a rheumatologist after 2 years.Of the 30 patients, 19 presented with clinical symptoms of initial changes due to rheumatoid arthritis. Ultrasound revealed 14/19 patients with the correct diagnosis. Conventional x-rays indicated 11/19 patients, while 3P-Sz (100%) and low-field MRI (95%) showed high sensitivity. It was possible to differentiate between inflammation and inconspicuous findings.An experienced examiner can use ultrasound effectively for the initial diagnosis of RA. Based on its low cost, ultrasound is a valid alternative to conventional x-rays.

The aim of this study was to evaluate typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in early rheumatic diseases manifesting at the soft tissues of the hand using a retrospective analysis.A total of 186 MRI examinations of patients with clinical suspicion of a rheumatic disease were evaluated in a consensus reading by two experienced radiologists. All imaging patterns were assessed with respect to their type and localization. Under blinded and non-blinded conditions diagnoses were correlated with final clinical diagnosis.The most frequent diagnoses were rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 45.7%) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA, 15.6%). The mean correlation between clinical and MRI diagnosis (r) was 0.75 in blinded and 0.853 in non-blinded reading (p0.001). The following extra-articular imaging patterns were found: synovitis (59.1%), tendovaginitis (91.4%), dactylitis (14.5%), and bone marrow edema (18.3%). Only dactylitis was specific for a particular rheumatic disease (PsA; r=0.934; sensitivity 84.9%, specificity 82.4%).Inflammatory conditions of the hand can be reliably detected with MRI. In many cases the definite diagnosis can only be made when taking clinical, serological, and radiographic results into account (+13.7% increase of significance).

The aim of this review is to evaluate the role of inflammatory spine disease in patients with chronic back pain. The contribution of imaging modalities for the diagnostic evaluation of back pain is discussed.A systematic literature search based on the classification of seronegative spondyloarthropathies and rheumatoid arthritis was performed. The results of this search and the experiences in a large collective of rheumatological patients are analyzed.The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (1-2%) is comparable to that of spondyloarthropathies (1.9%). The etiology of these entities is not fully elucidated. Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used for early detection and surveillance of therapy with TNF-alpha antagonists.Bone marrow edema, which is only detectable with MRI, represents an early sign of inflammation. Therapy with TNF-alpha antagonists is based on clinical and laboratory criteria, and signs of inflammation in MRI. MRI is useful for assessment of the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory therapy.

Besides conventional x-ray, in the diagnostic work up of initial changes in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 3-phase bone scintigraphy (3P-Sz) is as well established as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The AIM of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of a newly developed low field MRI with proven methods such as conventional x-ray and 3P-Sz.42 patients were studied using a one days protocol with 3P-Sz, MRI, and x-ray of the hands with yearly follow up examinations. Images were visually assessed by two blinded nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists and classified as RA-typical and non-RA-typical changes. All methods were compared to the summarised findings interpreted by a rheumatologist in consideration of the Ritchie articular index as gold-standard.24/42 patients presented with clinical symptoms of initial changes by rheumatoid arthritis. Conventional x-ray revealed in 20/24 patients within the correct diagnosis in the study period. On the other hand 3P-Sz and low field MRI concordantly showed all 24 patients with initial changes due to RA. Time of detection showed variations with a tendency to later findings by conventional x-ray.In the diagnostic work up of initial changes conventional x-ray should be the first choice in imaging. Our findings suggest that MRI represents an equally sensitive method for the diagnosis of initial changes due to RA in the region of the hands as compared to the 3P-Sz. The limitation of the low field MRI is the small field of view, so we prefer 3P-Sz or high field MRI in the diagnosis of patients with suspected RA.