Diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis; What is the current role of established and new imaging techniques in clinical practice?

Abstract

Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have become established imaging techniques for the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Several publications have pointed out the advantages of these techniques for a more complete evaluation of the inflammation and structural damage at joint level. Recently new imaging techniques as the positron emission tomography (PET) associated with computed tomography (CT) or MRI scan, and the optical imaging have been introduced in the panorama. This article presents the advantages and limitations of each imaging techniques in light with the recent publications.

Keywords: Diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation; MRI; Optical imaging; PET imaging; Remission; Rheumatoid arthritis; Ultrasound.