Since the introduction of new MR imaging techniques within the past two decades, the
imaging assessment of joints in rheumatic diseases has changed considerably. MRI enables
to evaluate both the inflamed synovial membrane as well as early structural damage.
In the last few years, several new functional/metabolic MR imaging techniques have
applied in rheumatic diseases, making it possible to evaluate the pathophysiology
of the disease in greater detail. Moreover, they permit a more quantitative approach
for the evaluation of disease activity and damage. Several functional imaging techniques
in rheumatic diseases have been proposed for the evaluation and monitoring of disease
status.
Keywords
magnetic resonance imaging - positron emission tomography - rheumatoid arthritis -
juvenile idiopathic arthritis - spondylarthropathy