Hand and wrist magnetic resonance imaging versus high resolution ultrasonography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Background Ultrasonography (US) is as good as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting bone erosions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) metacarpophalangeal, and metatarsophalangeal joints, and it's more reliable than radiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of MRI in comparison to high-resolution ultrasonography (US) for detecting RA changes in the hand and wrist joints and to assess its accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Method This observational prospective comparative study was conducted on 40 men and women (40 hands and wrists) over the age of 18 with RA symptoms. All patients underwent hand and wrist magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution ultrasonography. Results Moderate joint effusion was significantly higher in MRI findings than high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) findings (P < 0.05). MRI can diagnose synovitis, joint effusion, and tenosynovitis compared to HRUS respectively with 100% 66%, and 100% sensitivity,66.67%, 75%, and 74% specificity, 91.18%,91%, and 65% positive predictive value, 100%, 35%, and 100% negative predictive value. Conclusions In evaluating synovial inflammation in the wrist and hand joints, both US and MRI showed a strong correlation and alignment. Different features of RA's inflammatory process were revealed by the two imaging modalities, which both found evidence of inflammation and bone degradation in the joints of the hand and wrist.