Journal article
Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging allows accurate assessment of the synovial inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis knee joints: a comparison with synovial histology
Objective: To determine whether dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) evaluated using semi-automatic image processing software can accurately assess synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) knee joints. Methods: In 17 RA patients undergoing knee surgery, the average grade of histological synovial inflammation was determined from four biopsies obtained during surgery.
A preoperative series of T(1)-weighted dynamic fast low-angle shot (FLASH) MR images was obtained. Parameters characterizing contrast uptake dynamics, including the initial rate of enhancement (IRE), were generated by the software in three different areas: (I) the entire slice (Whole slice); (II) a manually outlined region of interest (ROI) drawn quickly around the joint, omitting large artefacts such as blood vessels (Quick ROI); and (III) a manually outlined ROI following the synovial capsule of the knee joint (Precise ROI).
Intra- and interreader agreement was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The IRE from the Quick ROI and the Precise ROI revealed high correlations to the grade of histological inflammation (Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho) = 0.70, p = 0.001 and rho = 0.74, p = 0.001, respectively).
Intraand inter-reader ICCs were very high (0.93-1.00). No Whole slice parameters were correlated to histology. Conclusion: DCE-MRI provides fast and accurate assessment of synovial inflammation in RA patients. Manual outlining of the joint to omit large artefacts is necessary.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Year: | 2012 |
Pages: | 89-94 |
ISSN: | 15027732 and 03009742 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.3109/03009742.2011.608375 |
ORCIDs: | Hanson, Lars G. |
Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee Contrast Media Female Gadolinium Humans Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted Knee Joint Magnetic Resonance Imaging Male Middle Aged Observer Variation Radionuclide Imaging Reproducibility of Results Synovitis Young Adult