Clinical characteristics of polymyalgia rheumatica in Japanese patients: evidence of synovitis and extracapsular inflammatory changes by fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology characterized by diffuse pain and morning stiffness involving neck, shoulder, and pelvic girdles. To facilitate an understanding of PMR and its proper diagnosis, we evaluated clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and radiographic findings of 32 Japanese patients with it. Distal musculoskeletal manifestations were more frequently observed than had been thought before (81% of the patients), and peripheral arthritis was most common (75%). The joints most often affected were knees and wrists, and most episodes were presented as bilateral oligo- or polyarthritis. A swelling of hands was observed in 34% of the patients. Using contrast-enhanced fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder, we found the evidence of subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis (100%), glenohumeral joint synovitis (93%), and biceps tenosynovitis (57%) in the PMR patients examined. Inflammatory changes in soft tissues around the joint capsule were prominent. By knee MRI, suprapatellar bursitis and joint synovitis were visualized in all cases examined, and extracapsular abnormalities were also prominent in 90% of the patients. Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3, a parameter of synovial inflammation, was significantly increased in PMR patients. Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody was useful for differential diagnosis between PMR and elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, joint and periarticular synovitis seems to be commonly and primarily responsible for the proximal and distal musculoskeletal symptoms of PMR. The presence of the extracapsular change, probably a nonspecific extension of synovitis, can explain the severe discomfort that radiates toward the periphery. To avoid making a wrong diagnosis, we should be aware that peripheral synovitis is one of the hallmarks of PMR.     

Analysis of subclinical synovitis detected by ultrasonography and low-field magnetic resonance imaging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective To assess the utilities of ultrasonography (US) and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (compacTscan, cMRI) in the diagnosis of subclinical synovitis of hand joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods A total of 1,540 joints of 77 RA patients were examined clinically, using US, using cMRI, and the baseline X-ray examination was performed. Clinical synovitis was defined as joint tenderness or swelling. Subclinical synovitis was diagnosed by US and by cMRI. The incidence of bone erosion and joint space narrowing was assessed by X-ray examination performed at approximately 40 weeks of follow-up.

Results Of the hand joints examined, 294 (19.1 %) were diagnosed with clinical synovitis, and 218 joints (14.1 %) were diagnosed with subclinical synovitis. The remaining 1,028 joints (66.8 %) were synovitis-free on clinical examination and imaging. For the diagnosis of subclinical synovitis, cMRI (11.4 %) was significantly more sensitive than power Doppler signals detected by US (US-PD; 6.8 %) (P < 0.01), and the combination of US-PD and cMRI was more useful (14.1 %) than US-PD or cMRI alone (P < 0.05). Follow-up X-ray examination of 600 joints showed a significantly higher incidence of bone erosion in joints with subclinical synovitis than in synovitis-free joints (P < 0.05).

Conclusion US-PD and cMRI are useful for detecting subclinical synovitis in patients with RA. Subclinical synovitis of the small joints of the hand can progress to bone destruction.     

Comparison of extracapsular changes by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica

OBJECTIVE: Joint inflammation in polymyalgia rheumatica is regarded primarily as a disease of the synovial cavities and bursae, but the adjacent capsules and soft tissues have not been evaluated using sensitive imaging methods. We used fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine anatomical sites of inflammatory change in the shoulders of patients with early polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and a control group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Fourteen patients with PMR and 14 with RA (a total of 20 shoulders in each group) were evaluated. T2 SPIR (fat suppressed) coronal oblique MRI sequences of the shoulders were performed. Scans were assessed for sites of joint effusion, bursitis, tenosynovitis, bone edema, and extracapsular soft tissue edema. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's test. RESULTS: Nine of 14 patients (10/20 joints) with PMR but only 2/14 (2/20 joints) with RA had prominent edema at extracapsular sites adjacent to the joint capsule or in the soft tissues (p = 0.02). Both groups had a comparable degree of joint effusion (18 PMR, 17 RA), bursitis (18 PMR, 16 RA), and tenosynovitis (3 PMR, 2 RA). CONCLUSION: The only significant difference between the 2 groups was the presence of inflammatory change outside the joint cavity in patients with PMR. This may contribute to the diffuse nature of symptoms in PMR and have implications for its pathogenesis.     

Whole-body fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with active polymyalgia rheumatica: evidence for distinctive bursitis and large-vessel vasculitis

Abstract

Objectives To investigate fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation in large joints, bursas, and large vessels in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) using 18-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and to differentiate PMR from similar diseases.

Methods Fourteen untreated patients with active PMR and 17 control patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 11) or other active rheumatic diseases (n = 6) underwent 18-FDG PET/CT. FDG uptake in large joints, bursas and vertebral spinous processes was evaluated by calculating maximum standardised uptake values and by visual scoring (scale 0–4). PET scan images were scored in seven vascular regions, and total vascular scores (range 0–21) were calculated.

Results Polymyalgia rheumatica patients showed increased FDG uptake in ischial tuberosities, greater trochanters, and lumbar spinous processes. Positive results at two or more of these sites showed high sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (88.2%) for the diagnosis of PMR, and shoulder or hip-joint involvement showed low disease specificity. High FDG accumulations were found in the aortas and subclavian arteries of two PMR patients who were asymptomatic for temporal arteritis and scanty synovium and perisynovium, based on FDG uptake. PET/CT images of the 12 PMR patients without apparent vascular involvement showed synovitis and/or perisynovitis.

Conclusions Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT may be useful for the detection of PMR lesions, which are difficult to identify using other methods.     

Fast recovery with etanercept in patients affected by polymyalgia rheumatica and decompensated diabetes: a case-series study

We enrolled nine consecutive patients affected by newly diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica and decompensated diabetes mellitus. All patients were treated with etanercept (25 mg twice weekly) and prednisone and were followed up to 1 year. At the sixth-month follow-up, etanercept and prednisone were withdrawn. Patients were seen at regular intervals (days 0, 30, 60, 90, 150, 180) and the following variables determined: erythrocytes sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, fasting serum glucose, pain measured by visual analog scale, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Our results indicate that etanercept might have some steroid-sparing effects, but controlled investigations are needed to support etanercept use in clinical practice for this kind of patients.     

Liver fat content determined by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy

Hepatic steatosis as the most prevalent liver disorder can either be related to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In both conditions, hepatocytes excessively accumulate fatcontaining vacuoles within their cytoplasm, which is the key histological feature. In contrast to ALD, NAFLD is commonly associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity and insulin resistance. To determine increased liver fat content, liver biopsy is currently considered the gold standard. Besides the...     

Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS3PE) syndrome: a prospective follow up and magnetic resonance imaging study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics of patients with "pure" remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS3PE) syndrome, and to investigate its relation with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to describe the anatomical structures affected by inflammation in pure RS3PE syndrome. METHODS: A prospective follow up study of 23 consecutive patients with pure RS3PE syndrome and 177 consecutive patients with PMR diagnosed over a five year period in two Italian secondary referral centres of rheumatology. Hands or feet MRI, or both, was performed at diagnosis in 7 of 23 patients. RESULTS: At inspection evidence of hand and/or foot tenosynovitis was present in all the 23 patients with pure RS3PE syndrome. Twenty one (12%) patients with PMR associated distal extremity swelling with pitting oedema. No significant differences in the sex, age at onset of disease, acute phase reactant values at diagnosis, frequency of peripheral synovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome and frequency of HLA-B7 antigen were present between patients with pure RS3PE and PMR. In both conditions no patient under 50 was observed, the disease frequency increased significantly with age and the highest frequency was present in the age group 70-79 years. Clinical symptoms for both conditions responded promptly to corticosteroids and no patient developed rheumatoid arthritis during the follow up. However, the patients with pure RS3PE syndrome were characterised by shorter duration of treatment, lower cumulative corticosteroid dose and lower frequency of systemic signs/symptoms and relapse/recurrence. Hands and feet MRI showed evidence of tenosynovitis in five patients and joint synovitis in three patients. CONCLUSION: The similarities of demographic, clinical, and MRI findings between RS3PE syndrome and PMR and the concurrence of the two syndromes suggest that these conditions may be part of the same disease and that the diagnostic labels of PMR and RS3PE syndrome may not indicate a real difference. The presence of distal oedema seems to indicate a better prognosis.     

左室心肌致密化不全的临床特征和磁共振成像表现

目的研究孤立性左室心肌致密化不全(LVNC)的临床特征和磁共振成像(MRI)表现。方法利用心脏MRI检查,采用不同成像序列对患者进行扫描,依据9节段分析法分析受累节段范围、程度及心脏功能等。此外引入舒张期受累节段致密化心肌厚度/室间隔基底段厚度(C/VS)比值试图对诊断标准进行优化。结果31例患者被诊断为LVNC,男23例,女8例,平均年龄39.9±15.7(13～64)岁。23例患者表现为心慌气短,其中9例初诊为扩张型心肌病。29例(93.5%)患者存在心电图异常,心律失常19例(61.3%)。31例患者共279个节段被分析,其中心肌致密化不全累及93个节段,占33.3%。31例患者的左室侧壁中段皆受累,23例(74.2%)患者左室心尖受累,其他依次为前壁中段17例(54.8%)、下壁中段10例(32.3%)、侧壁基底段8例(25.4%)、前壁基底段3例(9.7%)和下壁基底段1例(3.2%),室间隔基底段未见受累。84%的患者2个或2个以上节段受累;2例患者合并右室心尖部受累。3例合并左室附壁血栓,其中1例发生脑栓塞。MRI测量左室舒张末期横径58.7±10.2(45～89)mm,左室射血分数37.2%±16.5%(14%～70%)。舒张期受累节段非致密化心肌厚度/致密化心肌厚度(N/C)比值3.6±1.4(2.2～9.2);C/VS比值0.43±0.11(0.27～0.69)。结论心脏MRI能够全面而准确地诊断LVNC,C/VS比值的测量可能会部分弥补常规诊断标准(N/C)的不足。     

Efficacy of radiosynovectomy of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis: Evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging

The intra-articular injection of a radiopharmaceutical agent (radiosynovectomy) produces a reduction of the synovial inflammatory process. The inflammed synovial membrane can be identified with magnetic resonance imaging after the intravenous administration of gadolinium (MRI-Gd). A 6-month prospective study was carried out in 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis after radiosynovectomy of the knee. The efficacy was evaluated with clinical parameters and MRI-Gd. A progressive amelioration of synovial effusion, pain, articular range of mobility, total leucocytes count in synovial fluid and synovial membrane thickness through MRI-Gd was observed. The global efficacy was considered to be good in six patients, fair in three and bad in one. The study shows for the first time that MRI-Gd allows the evaluation of the response of the synovial membrane to radiosynovectomy.     

中老年人自身免疫性胰腺炎的磁共振表现

目的 探讨中老年人自身免疫性胰腺炎(AIP)的磁共振(MRI)特征. 方法 17例经组织学或类固醇激素治疗证实的中老年AIP患者,均接受MRI检查,对患者的临床和MRI资料进行回顾性分析. 结果 17例中老年AIP中,13例AIP表现为胰腺弥漫性肿大,4例为局限性肿大或局限性信号异常.病变T_1WI上呈明显低信号,在T_2WI上呈轻度高信号,动脉期强化减弱但呈现明显的延时强化.13例在胰腺病变周围环绕包膜样结构.15例AIP伴有胰腺段胆总管的狭窄,5例胰胆管磁共振显示胰管不规则狭窄.11例AIP的平均表观扩散系数值为1.64×10~3mm~2/s. 结论 AIP好发于中老年人;其MRI特征包括胰腺呈香肠样或香蕉样肿大、病变胰腺周围延迟强化的包膜样影、胰管弥漫不规则狭窄等,MRI既可用于诊断AIP,也是评价其疗效的重要手段.     

Comparison of in-office magnetic resonance imaging versus conventional radiography in detecting changes in erosions after one year of infliximab therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to compare standard hand radiographs with in-office 0.2 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in monitoring response to therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were receiving infliximab, to evaluate the frequency and location of erosions, and to determine if there were differences in outcome based on disease duration at baseline. Patients who satisfied the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA and were receiving infliximab therapy were evaluated with a baseline and 1-year follow-up MRI. Magnetic resonance images were interpreted by two blinded, board-certified radiologists. Bone erosions were identified as well-defined defects extending through the cortical margin. The mean age of the 48 patients was 58.5 years. The median infliximab dosage was 4 mg/kg. Baseline data showed that 41 patients had abnormal MRIs. The mean time between the baseline and follow-up MRI examinations was 10.5 months. Follow-up MRI revealed regression in 11 patients. Thirty-one patients had both MRIs and radiographs. Magnetic resonance imaging was approximately twice as sensitive as radiography in detecting erosions at baseline. In-office MRI was useful in monitoring disease response after the initiation of infliximab treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging is potentially a very valuable diagnostic tool and prognostic indicator for use in patients with RA.     

Comparison of in-office magnetic resonance imaging versus conventional radiography in detecting changes in erosions after one year of infliximab therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare standard hand radiographs with in-office 0.2?T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in monitoring response to therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were receiving infliximab, to evaluate the frequency and location of erosions, and to determine if there were differences in outcome based on disease duration at baseline. Patients who satisfied the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA and were receiving infliximab therapy were evaluated with a baseline and 1-year follow-up MRI. Magnetic resonance images were interpreted by two blinded, board-certified radiologists. Bone erosions were identified as well-defined defects extending through the cortical margin. The mean age of the 48 patients was 58.5 years. The median infliximab dosage was 4?mg/kg. Baseline data showed that 41 patients had abnormal MRIs. The mean time between the baseline and follow-up MRI examinations was 10.5 months. Follow-up MRI revealed regression in 11 patients. Thirty-one patients had both MRIs and radiographs. Magnetic resonance imaging was approximately twice as sensitive as radiography in detecting erosions at baseline. In-office MRI was useful in monitoring disease response after the initiation of infliximab treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging is potentially a very valuable diagnostic tool and prognostic indicator for use in patients with RA.     

Response of early active rheumatoid arthritis to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging

Inflammatory changes (synovitis and bone marrow edema) and destructive changes (bone erosion) were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and their relations with disease activity were assessed during treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Ten patients with early active RA underwent MRI at 0 and 16 weeks of TNF-inhibitor treatment. The carpal bones of the dominant hand were evaluated by the outcome measures in rheumatology clinical trials MRI score for RA. After 16 weeks, the mean disease activity score (DAS 28) decreased significantly from 5.54 to 2.70, while the number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, and inflammatory parameters were also significantly improved. The mean synovitis and marrow edema scores determined by MRI showed a significant decrease from 6.1 to 2.2 and 12.8 to 6.2, respectively, while the annual bone-erosion progression score decreased from 12.6 to 2.0. Although synovitis persisted in some patients, imaging remission was achieved in two patients. In conclusion, TNF-inhibitor therapy achieved an early decrease of disease activity and MRI revealed amelioration of joint destruction. The MRI score for RA is useful for assessing the early response to TNF inhibitors.     

Synovial membrane enhancement and bone erosion by magnetic resonance imaging for prediction of radiologic progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors related to radiographic progression in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (less than 1 year after onset) undergoing enhanced MRI at entry.Methods Demographic characteristics, disease duration, and enhanced MRI of the dominant wrists were recorded at entry. Duration of morning stiffness, number of swollen joints, serum rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and radiographs of hands and feet (Sharp/van der Heijde score) were assessed at each follow-up. Outcome was defined as damage seen on radiography.Results One hundred fourteen patients were followed up for 10 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that high MRI score, CRP, and RF positivity were associated with radiologic progression. The MRI score at baseline was a better predictor than CRP level and RF positivity at entry.Conclusion The assessment of synovial membrane enhancement and bone erosion by MRI of the wrist in early RA is very helpful to predict erosive outcome.     

胃癌磁共振成像术前TNM分期的临床应用价值

目的探讨磁共振成像（MRI）对胃癌患者进行术前TNM分期的临床应用价值。方法使用1.5T MRI扫描仪,对2010年12月至2012年1月泰山医学院附属莱芜医院收治的经手术病理证实的41例胃癌患者术前进行TNM分期,并与手术病理分期结果相对照。MRI与手术病理TNM分期结果一致性分析采用Kappa检验。结果本组41例胃癌患者,MRI诊断为T1期2例,T2期9例,T3期11例,T4a期15例,T4b期4例;病理诊断为T1期3例,T2期8例,T3期11例,T4a期15例,T4b期4例。本组41例胃癌患者中,2例远处转移的患者及1例姑息性手术行部分淋巴结清扫的患者不参与N分期的对照研究。本组评价的38例胃癌患者,MRI诊断为N0期14例,N1期14例,N2期10例;病理诊断为N0期16例,N1期9例,N2期13例。本组41例胃癌患者,MRI诊断为M0期37例,M1期4例;病理诊断为M0期37例,M1期4例。本组胃癌患者MRI进行T、N、M分期总的准确率分别为73.17%（30/41）、71.05%（27/38）、95.12%（39/41）。本组胃癌患者MRI与手术病理T分期、N分期结果一致性较好（Kappa=0.637、0.566）,本组胃癌患者MRI与手术病理M分期结果具有高度一致性（Kappa=0.910）。结论 MRI对胃癌术前TNM分期具有一定优势,特别是T4分期和M分期的准确率较高。     

No erosive progression revealed by MRI in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with etanercept,even in patients with persistent MRI and clinical signs of joint inflammation

The aim of this study is to investigate the course of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of inflammatory and destructive changes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints during etanercept treatment. MRI of the non-dominant wrist and second to fifth MCP joints was performed in five clinical active RA patients before and 4 and 16 weeks after initiation of etanercept treatment. MRI was evaluated according to the EULAR–OMERACT RA MRI reference image atlas. The median 28-joint count disease activity score (DAS28; erythrocyte sedimentation rate based) was 5.6 (range 5.0–6.8) at baseline and 3.5 (1.5–4.1) at week 16 (decreased in all patients compared to baseline, Wilcoxon–Pratt, p < 0.05). The median MRI synovitis score was 18 (14–21), 18 (10–20) and 16 (10–20) at baseline, week 4 and 16, respectively (decreased in all patients compared to baseline, Wilcoxon–Pratt, p < 0.05), while corresponding MRI bone oedema scores were 4 (0–13), 3 (0–9) and 1 (0–3; NS). The median MRI bone erosion score was 27 (11–111; NS) at all time points. Four patients had identical total bone erosion scores at baseline and week 16, whereas one patient showed a reduced score. In conclusion, one patient showed erosive regression, while no patient showed erosive progression on MRI during 16 weeks of etanercept therapy; even though clinical and MRI signs of joint inflammation remained. This small study supports that erosive progression judged by MRI is minimal in RA patients treated with etanercept, even in joints with persistent inflammation.