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Progress in imaging in rheumatology

Nature Reviews Rheumatology volume 10, pages 628–634 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

For decades, diagnostic imaging in rheumatology has used conventional radiography. Over the past 10 years, MRI and ultrasonography have clearly shown their potential in diagnostic imaging in rheumatology and their use is revolutionizing the management of chronic arthritis, revealing subclinical inflammation and predicting progression of joint damage. Although validation processes for these imaging modalities are still ongoing, several investigations have now established the positive correlation between subclinical synovitis and radiographic progression of joint damage. Despite the available evidence and the diagnostic potential, there remains a substantial proportion of rheumatologists for whom MRI and ultrasonography findings do not influence their clinical decision-making. This Perspectives will discuss the key issues related to diagnostic imaging in patients with chronic arthritis, outlining how new imaging techniques have evolved over the past two decades and presenting the most attractive technological advances in this field.

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Figure 1: Representative images of RA using 3D ultrasonography.
Figure 2: Timeline of the main milestones in imaging in chronic inflammatory arthritis with special emphasis on ultrasonography.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica Reumatologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedale “C. Urbani”, Via dei Colli 52, Jesi, 60035, Ancona, Italy

    Emilio Filippucci, Luca Di Geso & Walter Grassi

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  1. Emilio Filippucci
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  2. Luca Di Geso
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  3. Walter Grassi
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All authors made equal contributions to all aspects of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Emilio Filippucci.

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Competing interests

E.F. has given expert testimony for General Electric Medical System and has received speaking fees from Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Esaote Spa, General Electric Medical System, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Schering Plough and UCB Pharma. L.D.G. has received speaking fees from Esaote Spa. W.G. has attended advisory board meetings, scientific consultancies and has received speaking fees from Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Esaote Spa, Fidia Pharma, General Electric Medical System, Menarini, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Savient, Schering Plough, UCB Pharma and Wyeth.

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Filippucci, E., Di Geso, L. & Grassi, W. Progress in imaging in rheumatology. Nat Rev Rheumatol 10, 628–634 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2014.145

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