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What is MRI bone oedema in rheumatoid arthritis and why does it matter?

Fiona M McQueen1, Benedikt Ostendorf

  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Park Rd, Auckland, New Zealand. f.mcqueen@auckland.ac.nz

Arthritis Research & Therapy
|December 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Bone marrow edema on MRI, common in early rheumatoid arthritis, indicates cellular infiltration. This finding is linked to joint damage and poorer outcomes in arthritis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Orthopedics
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Bone marrow edema on MRI is observed in inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis.
  • It is frequently seen in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • Bone edema in RA correlates with disease progression and negative functional outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the nature of bone marrow edema in arthritis.
  • To explore the relationship between bone edema and joint erosion in rheumatoid arthritis.
  • To understand the role of bone marrow pathology in driving joint damage.

Main Methods:

  • Review of histopathological findings in subchondral bone.
  • Correlation of MRI findings with clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  • Analysis of emerging evidence from animal models of arthritis.

Main Results:

  • Bone marrow edema likely represents a cellular infiltrate within the bone.
  • Histopathology suggests lymphocytes and osteoclasts in subchondral bone may cause erosions.
  • Animal models indicate a correspondence between MRI bone edema and cellular infiltrates.

Conclusions:

  • Bone marrow edema in RA is associated with cellular infiltration.
  • This infiltrate may be a key factor in the development of bone erosions.
  • The bone marrow is a critical site for pathology contributing to joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

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