[Standardisation of the MRI and US images evaluation in the diagnostics of rheumatoid arthritis within the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints].

In Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) it is very important to recognize pathologic condition and to start proper treatment as early as possible to lessen its consequences. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography are the best imaging modalities because they depict early stages of this disease and allows to control response to treatment. MRI depicts also bone oedema, which is a strong predictor of further progression. The process of standardization is needed in assessing both MR and US pictures. Standardization allows to compared both examinations of the same patient in different time and examinations of different patients. An aim of this article is to present: MR protocols of hand and wrist MR examinations for rheumatologic demand and standards of results, according to worldwide OMERAC RAMRIS 2002 and supplemented by tenosynovitis system; proposals for US examination of hands in rheumatoid patients.