Hemophilic arthropathy: assessment with MR imaging

Fifteen patients with hemophilia, 14 of whom had hemophilic arthropathy, were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to determine if it could be used to assess hemophilic arthropathy, especially synovial hypertrophy and the status of the articular cartilage. Thirty-five joints of the appendicular skeleton were imaged. Four joints in two patients were clinically normal. Synovial hypertrophy was detected in 28 joints and appeared as areas of low to intermediate signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images, with foci of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images (presumed to be due to areas of fluid or inflammation) in 16 joints. Abnormal articular cartilage was demonstrated in 26 joints; bone lesions, fluid collections, and joint space narrowing could also be seen. MR imaging appears to be useful in depicting the components of hemophilic arthropathy.