Study of non-contrast MR imaging in evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis

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Noncontrast MRI is effective in identifying bone lesions(bone marrow edema and erosion) in the wrist and finger joints associated with synovitis in early-stage RA as well as contrast MRI. The combination of MRI-proven bone marrow edema with the 2010 ACR/EULAR RA classification criteria improves the diagnostic probability of RA at an early stage. In addition, MRI-proven bone marrow edema was proved to be an indicator of control of bone and joint damage at 1-year after the treatment. Noncontrast MRI is cost-effective, as it can be efficiently conducted with lower magnetic field MR units and does not require additional cost of contrast media. The knowledge obtained by this study is expected to enhance the clinical application of noncontrast MRI in the evaluation of early-stage RA.