Imaging of rheumatoid arthritis.

Increased awareness of the need for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and advances in the ability to effectively treat rheumatoid arthritis have made disease remission and maintenance of function a reality for many patients. However, identification of patients who are at risk for erosive disease remains a challenge. As more is learnt about risk factors for disease severity and the role of imaging techniques such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, the ability to prevent disease progression in the form of joint damage and its attendant deformity and functional limitation will further improve.

Anakinra's efficacy is variable in refractory gout: report of ten cases.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of anakinra for patients with acute gout.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of 10 patients who received anakinra for urate crystal-induced arthritis at the Hospital for Special Surgery since 2007. Demographic information, comorbidities, short-term treatment outcomes, and subsequent flares were reviewed.

Using magnetic resonance angiography to measure abnormal synovial blood vessels in early inflammatory arthritis: a new imaging biomarker?

Objective: To ascertain whether magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) can reliably detect synovial neovascularization in subjects with early inflammatory arthritis.

Methods: Subjects with 6 weeks to 6 months of clinical evidence of inflammatory hand arthritis had a radiograph, power Doppler ultrasound (PDU) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and contrast enhanced MRA performed on the more symptomatic hand. Ultrasound examination of the wrist and 2nd-5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints was scored for erosions, synovial thickening, and synovial blood flow.