Measuring bone erosion and edema in rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison of manual segmentation and RAMRIS methods

Purpose

To investigate the reliability, feasibility, and validity of a computer‐assisted manual segmentation (outlining) technique for measuring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) bone erosion and edema at the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Materials and Methods

The 3T MRI scans were obtained in 22 RA patients (<2 years). Bone erosion and edema volumes were scored by two readers using outlining and were compared with RAMRIS scores.

Results

Using outlining, intraobserver reliability for erosions and edema was high: intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) = 0.994 (0.991, 0.997) and 0.996 (0.994, 0.998), respectively (Reader 1). Interobserver reliability was high for bone erosion (ICC [90% confidence interval, CI] = 0.80 [0.64, 0.92]) and comparable to RAMRIS scoring (ICC 0.78 [0.64, 0.92]), but was only moderate for bone edema (0.46 [0.00, 0.96]), compared with RAMRIS (ICC = 0.84 [0.73, 0.94]). The methods were highly correlated for erosion scores, r = 0.90, 0.82 (Readers 1 and 2) and moderately correlated for edema, r = 0.57, 0.87.

Conclusion

Segmentation (outlining) can be used to measure the volume of MRI bone erosion and edema at the wrist in RA patients. When compared with RAMRIS scoring, outlining had similar reliability for quantifying erosions but reliability was lower for bone edema, possibly reflecting difficulty delineating the borders of affected bone. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:364–371. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

手指线圈在手指关节类风湿性关节炎MRI 初步研究

目的：研究健康和类风湿性关节炎(RA)志愿者手指关节 MRI 的主要表现,检验所研制手指线圈的成像效果。方法应用研制的手指线圈,与机器所配的肢体线圈、柔性表面线圈和3英寸(1英寸=2.54 cm)表面线圈,分别对自制的水模型,用同样T2 WI 序列进行扫描,采用单幅图像测量信噪比(SNR)的方法进行比较。应用中指标本(1个手指)并邀请健康志愿者5例(8个手指)和 RA 志愿者18例(22个手指)参与研究。结果手指线圈的 SNR 比3英寸表面线圈高出1.5倍以上,比肢体线圈和柔性表面线圈高出4倍以上。RA 志愿者22个手指中出现17例滑膜炎、10例关节积液、5例骨髓水肿、7例有骨侵蚀和6例腱鞘炎表现。结论手指线圈具有很高的 SNR。     

Quantifying synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis using computer-assisted manual segmentation with 3 Tesla MRI scanning

Purpose:

To investigate the reliability, validity and feasibility of a computer‐assisted manual segmentation method for determining the synovial membrane volume as a surrogate measure for synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Materials and Methods:

The 3 Tesla (T) MRI scans were acquired in 22 early RA and 16 established RA patients. Synovial membrane volumes in postcontrast T1w axial images at three wrist joint regions were determined by two nonradiologist observers using a computer‐assisted manual segmentation method.

Results:

Intraobserver reliability, measured by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), was excellent in the early (ICC = 0.99) and established (ICC = 0.99) RA cohorts. Interobserver reliability (mean ICC [95% Confidence Interval]) was moderate to excellent in the early and established RA groups (ICCs = 0.87 [0.68,0.94] and 0.88 [0.66, 0.96], respectively). There was a strong correlation between the synovial membrane volumes derived by segmentation and the RA MRI scoring system (RAMRIS) scores for synovitis at all joints in the early (Spearman rho = 0.86–0.96) and established (Spearman rho = 0.85–0.93) RA cohorts. The entire segmentation technique took 19 to 21 min per patient.

Conclusion:

Measurement of MRI synovitis using a computer‐assisted manual segmentation method demonstrated excellent intraobserver and very good interobserver reliability, content validity (represented by its strong correlation with RAMRIS synovitis), and moderate feasibility. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:1106–1113. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transient regional osteoporosis of the ankle with shifting bone marrow edema pattern within the joint

We describe a case of bone marrow edema (BME) shifting within one ankle joint in a 35-year-old - male patient. He presented with increasing pain and no history of trauma. Clinically no local swelling was found and laboratory findings and plain x-ray studies were normal. He did not improve on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 weeks. A Gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of synovitis, but BME was observed in the talus and transient regional osteoporosis was diagnosed. The patient was treated conservatively by protective partial weight bearing of the affected joint and he showed partial improvement after 6 months of daily treatment with Calcitonin Salmon nasal spray. A magnetic resonance imaging after 6 months showed that the BME had shifted anteriorly with complete resolution at the initial site. Transient regional osteoporosis is a rare self-limiting syndrome characterized by sudden onset of joint pain, functional limitations and spontaneous recovery, without preceding trauma. The condition may present as one episode affecting only one joint or recurrent episode that may affect multiple joints. BME between different compartments of the same joint can occur and has been reported only in a few case reports in the knee joint. The case is discussed and the literature is reviewed.     

Quantitative analysis of vertebral bone marrow perfusion using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: initial results in osteoporotic patients with acute vertebral fracture

Purpose:

To evaluate the potential of quantitative dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) in vertebral bone marrow (vBM) of patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty‐six patients with acute osteoporotic fractures (16 female, 10 male, median age 72, range 48–89) and 10 subjects without known history of osteoporosis (6 female, 4 male, median 65, range 31–77) were examined 2D‐DCE‐MRI. Region of interest (ROI) data in fractured (n = 26) and normal‐appearing vertebrae (n = 271) were analyzed with a two‐compartment tracer‐kinetic‐model, providing estimates of at least three independent parameters: plasma flow (PF), plasma volume (PV), and extraction flow (EF). Parameters were correlated with dual x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) (n = 15) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) densitometry (n = 10).

Results:

Mean PF was significantly higher in fractures than in normal‐appearing vertebrae (69.37 vs. 11.72 mL/100 mL/min). Similarly, mean PV and EF differed significantly. Mean PF was significantly decreased in normal‐appearing vBM osteoporotic patients compared to the control group. Mean PF and PV were significantly decreased in lumbar compared to thoracic vertebrae. PV showed a significant correlation with QCT.

Conclusion:

Perfusion parameters were decreased significantly in normal‐appearing vBM of patients. Furthermore, significant perfusion alterations were observed in acute osteoporotic vertebral fractures compared to normal‐appearing vertebrae. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:676–683. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

痛风性膝关节炎MRI骨侵蚀、骨髓水肿、滑膜炎与痛风石的相关性研究

目的探讨膝关节痛风性关节炎MRI特征,及骨侵蚀、骨髓水肿、滑膜炎与痛风石之间的相互关系,以研究痛风骨侵蚀和关节损伤的潜在机制。方法回顾性分析31例慢性痛风患者膝关节双能量CT和MRI影像检查,对比分析痛风石、骨髓水肿、骨侵蚀及滑膜炎之间的相关关系。结果4例患者为双侧膝关节检查,共35个膝关节纳入研究,其中34%的存在骨侵蚀,与痛风石有明显相关性,OR值76.4(95%CI 10.0,582.2)(P<0.001)。骨髓水肿不常见,发生率仅为1.2%(3/245),骨侵蚀和骨髓水肿之间没有明显相关性。在有骨侵蚀的膝关节中,75%的膝关节同时伴有滑膜炎,而在没有骨侵蚀的膝关节,43.4%的膝关节具有滑膜炎,骨侵蚀和滑膜炎之间的OR值为5.3(95%CI 1.1,25.5)(P=0.035)。结论痛风性关节炎骨侵蚀,与痛风石沉积明显相关;痛风骨髓水肿不常见,且水肿程度轻微。痛风石是骨侵蚀发生的主要危险因素之一。     

正常颅盖骨骨髓转化年龄分布的MRI研究

目的 采用3.0 T MR T1WI探讨正常颅盖骨骨髓转化年龄分布方式.方法 对360例行头部3.0 T MR平扫未见异常及临床、实验室检查和随诊观察正常者作为研究对象,按年龄顺序依次分为<1、1～2、3～5、6～14、15～29、30～49、≥50岁绀,共7个年龄组,选择正中及旁欠状面T1WI进行定量、定性分析,根据不同颅盖骨板障厚度、信号分布特点,进行颅盖骨骨髓MRI分型.年龄与分型间相关性比较采用线性相关x2检验.结果 正常颅盖骨骨髓T1WI分为4型:(1)正常颅盖骨骨髓Ⅰ型115例,其中Ⅰ a型47例,平均板障厚度(h)为(1.24±0.31)mm;Ⅰ b型68例,h为(1.76±0.37)mm;Ⅱ型57例,h为(2.78±0.69)mm;Ⅲ型148例,其中Ⅲa型18例,h为(2.33±0.65)mm;Ⅲb型88例,h为(4.01±0.86)mm;Ⅲ c型42例,h为(4.31±0.73)mm;Ⅳ型40例,其中Ⅳa型25例,h为(5.17±1.02)mm;Ⅳb型15例,h为(5.85±1.45)mm.(2)<1岁组40例,Ⅰ a型20例,Ⅰ b型20例,h为(1.47±0.42)mm;1～2岁组40例,Ⅰ a型16例,Ⅰ b型18例,Ⅱ型6例,h为(1.68±0.52)mm;3～5岁组40例,Ⅰ a型8例,Ⅰ b型18例,Ⅱ型14例,h为(1.84±0.73)mm;6～14岁组60例,Ⅰ a型3例,Ⅰ b型12例,Ⅱ型27例,Ⅲa型0例,Ⅲb型12例,Ⅲc型6例,h为(2.92±1.00)mm;15～29岁组60例,Ⅱ型7例,Ⅲa型5例,Ⅲb型27例,Ⅲc型15例,Ⅳa型6例,h为(3.95±0.97)mm;30～49岁组60例,Ⅱ型3例,Ⅲa型7例,Ⅲb型29例,Ⅲc型15例,Ⅳa型3例,Ⅳb型3例,h为(4.30±1.35)mm;≥50岁组,Ⅲa型6例,Ⅲb型20例,Ⅲ c型6例,Ⅳa型16例,Ⅳb型12例,h为(4.51±1.40)mm.(3)Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ型的年龄组与分型间呈线性相关性(x2=266.36,P<0.01),即随着年龄增长,颅盖骨骨髓南Ⅰ型向Ⅳ型转变.结论 3.0 T MR T1WI正常颅盖骨骨髓转化年龄分布方式具有特征性规律,随年龄增加,颅盖骨骨髓逐渐由Ⅰ型向Ⅳ型转变.     

正常股骨骨髓MRI定量分析及图像观察

目的　利用SE/T1WI像的信号强度值 ,定量研究股骨红、黄骨髓的转变 ;描述不同年龄组股骨骨髓MRI表现。方法　选择无骨髓相关疾病者 14 2例 ,男 97例 ,女 45例 ,按年龄分为 11组。行股骨冠状SE/T1WI及FS/T2 WI扫描。在SE/T1WI像上测量股骨干、股骨颈、大转子及股骨头的MRI信号强度值。观察股骨不同部位红、黄骨髓转变方式。结果　不同性别股骨各部位MRI信号强度值无显著性差异 (Ρ >0 .0 5 ) ;上述各部位MRI信号强度在 2 5岁以前与年龄呈正相关 (r =0 .71～ 0 .91,Ρ <0 .0 0 0 1) ,其后则随年龄增长 ,MRI信号强度变化不显著 (r =0 .0 4～ 0 .2 4,Ρ >0 .0 5 ) ;股骨近端MRI表现分为四型 ,各型在不同年龄组所占比例不同 ;股骨干 5岁前MRI表现为红骨髓 ,10岁后为黄骨髓。股骨头及大转子骨化中心一旦出现即为黄骨髓信号。结论　MRI信号强度值的测定可用于观察股骨红、黄骨髓的转变 ,MRI能区分股骨红、黄骨髓及不同年龄的表现特点     

外伤性椎体压缩骨折骨髓水肿范围与骨折时间的相关性分析

目的:探讨椎体压缩骨折骨髓水肿的范围与骨折时间的相关性。方法:回顾性分析87例外伤性椎体压缩骨折患者的MRI资料,按照外伤时间分为7组,测定骨折后骨髓水肿的范围,分析骨髓水肿的范围与外伤时间的相关性。结果:60d内骨髓水肿范围无明显差别;60d后骨髓水肿范围明显缩小;120d后基本消失。散点图上骨髓水肿范围随骨折时间呈下降趋势,两者呈负相关(r=-0.411,P<0.05)。结论:MRI检查对外伤性椎体骨折的鉴定具有重要价值。     

Quantitative assessment of bone marrow hematopoiesis using parametric magnetic resonance imaging

Spatial maps of the percentage cellularity in pelvic bone marrow were calculated at a resolution of 15.6 mm³ from six volunteers and 10 patients treated for documented hematologic disease using a three-point Dixon MRI pulse sequence. The percentage cellularity calculation was aided by analyzing a two-dimensional feature space consisting of the apparent water fraction (W_a), and the T₂ relaxation time of water (T_2w). An extracellular water fraction was assigned to each voxel on the basis of a two-component T_2w algorithm. In six cases, the method was compared to results obtained from core biopsies or aspirates of the posterior iliac crest. The results indicate that segmentation schemes that combine high-quality phase-contrast imaging with nuclear relaxation time measurements can potentially identify the true fractional marrow volume occupied by hematopoietic elements in a variety of clinical situations.     

全身MR扩散加权成像测量骨髓的正常值

目的 分析全身DWI(WB-DWI)上的骨髓正常表现及其影响因素.方法 对98名健康志愿者(男47名,女51名)进行WB-DWI扫描,测量胸椎、腰椎、双侧股骨(头、颈、上段、远端)、髂骨、肱骨头、肩胛骨的ADC值、DWI(b=800 s/mm2)及STIR信号值.采用秩相关性检验分析骨髓DWI信号值与ADC值及STIR信号值的关系,不同部位骨髓ADC值比较采用ANOVA法,两两比较采用Student-Newman- Keuls检验,男女不同部位骨髓ADC值与年龄的相关性分析采用秩相关检验.结果 (1)98名志愿者中,69名骨髓呈低至中等信号,其中女24名、男45名;29名骨髓呈高信号,其中女27名、男2名.(2)胸椎、腰椎、股骨头、股骨颈、股骨上段、髂骨、肱骨头、肩胛骨骨髓DWI信号值(M值分别为44.54、35.01、13.61、16.00、21.45、25.77、18.35、36.12)与ADC值[(0.55±0.08)×10-3、(0.53±0.08) ×10- 3、(0.30 ±0.10)×10- 3、(0.42 ±0.16)×10-3、(0.74±0.14)×10-3、(0.49±0.10)×10-3、(0.36±0.13)× 10-3、(0.49±0.11)×10 -3mm2/s]及STIR信号值(M值分别为61.81、64.99、53.27、69.08、73.10、66.35、73.16、79.81)呈正相关,r值分别为0.513、0.695,0.741、0.764,0.443、0.489,0.641、0.656,0.510、0.648,0.475、0.715,0.366、0.446,0.437、0.739,P值均＜0.01.(3)不同部位骨髓ADC值差异有统计学意义(F=138.69,P＜0.01).胸椎与腰椎、髂骨与肩胛骨,股骨头与股骨远端之间差异无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05),其余任意两组差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜ 0.05).(4)女性胸椎[(0.59±0.07) ×10-3 mm2/s]、腰椎[(0.58 ±0.06)×10-3 mm2/s]、股骨头(M值0.33×10-3 mm2/s)、股骨颈(M值0.53×10-3 mm2/s)、股骨上段(M值0.81×10-3mm2/s)、股骨远端(M值0.32×10-3 mm2/s)、髂骨[(0.52 ±0.09)×10-3 mm2/s]、肱骨头(M值0.42×10-3mm2/s)、肩胛骨[(0.53±0.09)×10-3 mm2/s]骨髓ADC值均高于男性[(0.51 ±0.07)×10-3、(0.48±0.07)×10-3、M值0.23×10-3、M值0.31×10-3、M值0.66×10-3、M值0.23×10-3、(0.46±0.10)×10-3、M值0.27×10-3、(0.45 ±0.11)×10-3mm2/s].(5)女性胸椎、腰椎、股骨(头、颈、上段)、髂骨、肱骨头骨髓ADC值与年龄呈负相关(r值分别为- 0.549、- 0.629、- 0.329、-0.524、-0.338、-0.548和-0.416,P值均＜0.05),而女性股骨远端、肩胛骨和男性各部位骨髓ADC值与年龄无明显相关性(P值均＞0.05).结论 骨髓ADC值及STIR信号值越高,其DWI(b=800 s/mm2)信号值越高;骨髓ADC值受年龄和性别影响,不同部位骨髓ADC值不同.     

骨髓水肿在股骨头缺血性坏死中的临床意义

目的探讨骨髓水肿（BME）与坏死区信号、关节液体量和临床症状的关系，进一步提高对其在股骨头缺血坏死（ONFH）中临床意义的认识。方法分析经病理或临床随访证实的57例91髋成人ONFH资料。全部病例摄有骨盆正位平片，并于1周内行双髋1．5TMR检查和放射性核素骨显像。分别对股骨头皮质完整组、皮质断裂塌陷组和MRI不同信号坏死区组中的BME进行研究。结果具有“线样征”的88髋中，61髋其远侧区可见BME信号。BME在皮质完整的混杂信号坏死组中的出现率高于皮质完整的单纯脂肪样信号坏死组，而低于皮质断裂塌陷组（P〈0．05）。皮质断裂塌陷中的关节液体量和临床症状出现率与皮质完整中有BME组相当（P〉0．05），均大于皮质完整无BME组（P〈0．01）。结论临床无症状患者大多无BME，而无BME且股骨头皮质完整的髋关节内多见少量液体。伴有BME的患者无论股骨头皮质是否断裂塌陷，髋关节内常见大量液体，临床大多具有症状。ONFH中出现BME或BME程度加重时，提示病情进展。     

MRI动态增强时间-强度曲线在手未分化性关节炎向类风湿性关节炎转归预测中的价值

目的探讨MRI动态增强时间-强度曲线各指标在手未分化性关节炎(UA)向类风湿性关节炎(RA)转归预测中的价值。方法分析2014年1月—2015年8月于天津市第一中心医院风湿免疫科就诊的61例UA病人动态增强MRI基线资料,其中女53例,男8例,年龄22~68岁,平均(49.93±10.27)岁,中位病程2.7个月(7 d~12个月)。将随访1年后确诊为RA病人25例和确诊为非RA病人22例纳入研究,采用t检验或两独立样本的秩和检验比较2组间时间-强度曲线各指标差异,采用受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线下面积评价各指标的诊断价值。结果RA组相对增强(RELENH)、最大相对增强(MAXRELENH)、最大增强(MAXENH)、最大强化斜率(WASHIN)、曲线下面积(AREACURV)均高于非RA组(均P0.001);RA组达峰时间(TTP)差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。RELENH、MAXRELENH、MAXENH、WASHIN、AREACURV的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.838、0.829、0.855、0.955、0.864,敏感度分别为92.0%、92.0%、88.0%、92.0%、96.0%,特异度分别为77.3%、77.3%、81.8%、86.4%、68.2%。其中,WASHIN的ROC曲线下面积在5项指标中诊断效能最高,AREACURV的敏感度在5项指标中最高。结论 MRI动态增强时间-强度曲线RELENH、MAXRELENH、MAXENH、WASHIN、AREACURV对预测UA向RA转归具有较高的临床价值,对临床早期诊断、早期治疗具有重要指导意义。     

基于体素的形态测量学方法对慢性类风湿关节炎患者脑灰质的MR研究

目的 应用基于体素的形态测量学(VBM)方法分析慢性类风湿关节炎(RA)患者相对于健康志愿者脑灰质改变的特点及规律.方法 收集35例慢性RA患者和30例年龄、性别、受教育程度相匹配的健康对照者,使用GE Signa HDxt 1.5T超导MR扫描仪对所有受试者行高分辨率3D-T1全脑结构扫描,利用SPM 12软件的VBM 12方法对扫描图像进行预处理,对慢性RA患者和正常志愿者脑灰质体积采用双样本t检验,探讨慢性RA患者脑灰质改变的特点及其与临床指标的相关性.结果 与对照组相比,VBM结果显示慢性RA患者右侧豆状核,左侧额叶及左侧小脑后叶脑灰质减少,差异脑区脑灰质与临床指标之间无线性相关性.本研究未发现慢性RA组脑灰质比正常对照组增大的区域.结论 慢性RA患者脑灰质减小,提示RA可导致脑结构异常,VBM为评价RA脑形态学异常提供了客观的影像学依据.     

MR 3D-DESS和3D-True FISP对类风湿关节炎腕关节软骨损伤的诊断价值

目的 探讨3.0T MR三维双回波稳态(3D-DESS)序列及三维真实稳态进动快速成像(3D-True FISP)序列对类风湿关节炎(RA)腕关节软骨改变的应用价值.方法 对26例临床诊断为RA患者采用3D-DESS、3D-True FISP序列行腕关节扫描,共有20例患者完成2种序列扫描.观察该20例患者腕关节共340个关节面软骨形态学情况,按照形态学表现分为0、1、2级,分别计数3D-DESS、3D-True FISP序列所见腕关节软骨病变个数,比较2种序列对RA腕关节软骨病变个数检出的差异;同时计数20例腕关节出现扫描伪影例数.结果 3D-DESS与3D-True FISP序列发现腕关节软骨1级损伤个数分别为79个和50个,2级损伤个数分别为23个和33个,其差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).3D-True FISP序列共有14例患者出现低信号伪影,3D-DESS序列共有2例患者出现伪影.结论 3D-DESS序列相比3D-True FISP序列能更好地显示RA腕关节软骨改变,3D-DESS序列可以为RA的治疗及愈后判断提供一定的帮助.     

膝关节类风湿关节炎MRI与X线平片对比

目的　评价MRI与X线平片在膝关节类风湿关节炎中的诊断价值。方法　 34个膝关节行MRI与X线检查 ,13例进行了MRI增强扫描。结果　MRI显示 34个膝均存在骨破坏 ,2 1个膝骨硬化 ,2 2个半月板有信号改变 ,15个膝关节软骨信号改变 ,10个膝胫骨移位 ,8个膝后交叉韧带拉直 ,13例MRI增强扫描显示血管翳附着、滑膜增殖和关节积液。X线显示 1个膝有骨破坏 ,11个膝伴骨硬化 ,16个膝关节间隙狭窄 ,8个膝胫骨移位。结论　MRI诊断膝关节类风湿关节炎优于X线平片