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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Magnetic resonance imaging of the hand in systemic sclerosis
Andrea H L Low1, Matthew Lax, Sindhu R Johnson
1Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Objective:
To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated arthropathy.
Methods:
MRI of the hand was performed in patients presenting with joint pain/swelling in order (1) to determine the frequency of inflammation on MRI, and (2) to compare MRI with radiography.
Results:
Of 17 patients with SSc, 10 (59%) had inflammatory MRI findings with synovitis (n = 8), erosions (n = 7), joint effusion (n = 7), or tenosynovitis (n = 8). Bone edema was present in 9 patients. Of 7 patients with MRI erosions, only 2 had radiographic erosions.
Conclusion:
Our study illustrates the usefulness of MRI in the accurate diagnosis and characterization of SSc-associated arthropathy.
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