T2 Mapping as a New Method for Quantitative Assessment of Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with damage of the articular cartilage and the periarticular bone. While imaging of bone damage has substantially improved in recent years, direct imaging of the articular cartilage of the hand joints in patients with RA is still challenging. The study used T2 mapping of the finger joints to assess cartilage damage in RA. Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 Tesla was done in 30...