Objective.To quantify bone structure and perfusion parameters in regions of bone marrow edema pattern (BMEP), non-edematous bone marrow (NBM), and pannus tissue areas in the wrists of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using 3-Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).Methods.Sixteen subjects fulfilling American College of Rheumatology classification were imaged using a HR-pQCT system and a 3T MRI scanner with an 8-channel wrist coil. Coronal T2-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-MRI) images were acquired. BMEP and pannus tissue areas were segmented semiautomatically in T2-weighted images. NBM areas were placed at a similar distance from the joint space as BMEP regions. MR and HR-pQCT images were registered, and bone variables were calculated within the BMEP and NBM regions. Perfusion parameters in BMEP, pannus tissue, and NBM regions were calculated based on the signal-time curve obtained from DCE-MRI.Results.Eighteen BMEP areas were segmented, 15 of them presented proximal to pannus-filled erosions. Significant increases in bone density and trabecular thickness and number were observed in all BMEP regions compared to NMB (p < 0.05). Significantly elevated perfusion measures were observed in both BMEP and pannus tissue regions compared to NBM (p < 0.05).Conclusion.BMEP regions showed significantly increased bone density and structures as well as perfusion measures, suggesting bone remodeling and active inflammation. Combining MRI and HR-pQCT provides a powerful multimodality approach for understanding BMEP and erosions, and for potentially identifying novel imaging markers for disease progression in RA.
Does Prevalence of Small Size Acetabular Bone Marrow Edema or Cystic Lesion on 3 Tesla MRI Correlate With Poor Clinical Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy? An Analysis of 2 to 6 Year Follow-Up