Imaging of Inflammatory Arthritis in Children: Status and Perspectives on the Use of Ultrasound, Radiographs, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2016 Nov;42(4):587-606. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2016.07.002. Epub 2016 Sep 6.

Abstract

The hallmark of juvenile idiopathic arthritis is synovial inflammation, and the goal of treatment is to suppress inflammation to prevent cartilage damage and bone erosions. Ultrasound and MRI are widely used imaging modalities in evaluating disease burden and response to treatments and are superior to clinical examination alone. However, differentiating between the normal appearance of the developing skeleton and pathologic conditions can be difficult, particularly in early disease. Larger, long-term studies are needed to standardize imaging definitions and protocols and to fully understand the clinical implications of imaging findings.

Keywords: Imaging; Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; MRI; Radiography; Ultrasound scan.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Juvenile / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Marrow / diagnostic imaging
  • Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
  • Edema / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Joints / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Radiography
  • Synovitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tenosynovitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography