Volumetric measurement of the inflamed synovium of rheumatoid wrist joint for the evaluation of synovitis and remission.
10.3348/jkrs.1997.36.3.509
- Author:
Yong Min HUH
1
;
Jin Suck SUH
;
Eun Kee JEONG
;
Soo Kon LEE
;
Ji Soo LEE
;
Byoung Wook CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University, College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Arthritis, rheumatoid;
Joints, MR;
Wrist, MR;
Wrist, Arthritis
- MeSH:
Arthritis, Rheumatoid;
Humans;
Joints;
Observer Variation;
Synovial Membrane*;
Synovitis*;
Wrist Joint*;
Wrist*
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1997;36(3):509-515
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes and remission of disease activity with changes in inflamed synivial volumes of rheumatoid joints after therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven rheumatoid arthritis patients who had been treated with antiinflammatory drugs were followed up. Using NIH imaging and a segmentation technique, pre- and post-enhanced images were measured in subtracted images. Intra- and interobserver variation were evaluated by two radiologists(A and B), using two independent measurements. For comparison, the cases were assigned to one of two groups : remission and non-remission. Changes in ESR and total joint counts(TJC) after therapy were compared with inflamed synovial volumes. RESULTS: Intraobserver variations were 3.2% and 2.7% in A and B, respectively, interobserver variation between A and B was 7.1%. Changes in inflamed synovial volumes correlated well with those in ESR (r=0.88, p<0.009) and TJC (r=0.78, p<0.037) after therapy. Changes between the remission and non-remission group were insignificant, however. CONCLUSION: Changes in inflamed synovial volumes reflect those in the activity of rheumatoid arthritis between pre- and post- treatment. This technique may be used as a tool for predicting therapeutic response in rheumatoid arthritis cases. Changes in inflamed synovial volumes are of limited value, however, in predicting the remission of rheumatoid arthritis after therapy.
