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Contrast-Enhanced MRI Could Help Differentiate Between Common Types of Arthritis RESTON, Va -- February 19, 2010 -- Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help physicians differentiate between rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis in the hand and wrist enabling more targeted therapies unique to each condition, according to a study appearing in the March issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. “Clinically, it may be difficult to distinguish psoriatic arthritis from rheumatoid arthritis because the symptoms of both diseases are similar and the diagnostic tests currently available to aid in the differentiation of psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis are not always sufficient,” said lead author Nina F. Schwenzer, MD, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. The study included 45 patients (31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 14 with psoriatic arthritis) who were imaged using contrast-enhanced MRI. “The perfusion of contrast media in psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is presumed to be different,” said Dr. Schwenzer. Typically, one will not be able to see a difference until after 15 minutes after the contrast material is given. “Our study revealed a significant difference in perfusion between those patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis after 15 minutes,” she said. “However, since it was a small group of patients and there was an overlap in perfusion values between both types of arthritis, a diagnosis could not be led by contrast-enhanced MRI alone. Our results are nonetheless promising though.” “In the past, the treatment strategy for patients with psoriatic arthritis was based on that for patients with rheumatoid arthritis,” said Dr. Schwenzer. “Recent research indicates that the therapeutic management, including medication and therapy monitoring, has to be adapted for each type of arthritis.” “As our study suggests, the use of contrast-enhanced MRI could play an important role in differentiating psoriatic arthritis from rheumatoid arthritis,” she said. SOURCE: American Roentgen Ray Society E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version