Magnetic resonance imaging of palindromic rheumatism

Rheumatol Int. 2008 Nov;29(1):87-9. doi: 10.1007/s00296-008-0654-0. Epub 2008 Jul 29.

Abstract

A 44-year-old man with intermittent asymmetric migratory oligoarthritis lasting the recent decade was admitted to our hospital. Considerable specific biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis such as anti-agalactosyl IgG antibody are all negative. He was diagnosed as palindromic rheumatism (PR). Although hand X-rays showed no remarkable findings, hand magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected pannus and bone erosion. PR is defined as the disease characterized by short-lasting attacks of acute oligoarthritis, without radiographic changes. To our knowledge, the findings of MRI for PR have not been previously described. We propose that MRI findings in patients with PR is useful tool to distinguish PR from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other RA related diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hand Joints / diagnostic imaging
  • Hand Joints / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Rheumatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal