[Magnetic resonance tomography and hybrid imaging in rheumatology]

In rheumatologic diseases magnet resonance imaging (MRI) is capable of depicting early inflammatory changes which are frequently missed by other imaging modalities. New MRI protocols and hardware, primarily whole-body MRI and low-field extremity MRI facilitate the use of MRI in rheumatology patients. The increasing number of functional MRI techniques provide additional molecular information on the tissue composition, e.g. cartilage quality. These molecular MRI techniques enable new ways for early disease detection and therapy monitoring. Hybrid imaging modalities, such as MRI-SPECT (single photon mmission tomography) and MRI-PET (positron emission tomography) provide a new level of molecular imaging in rheumatology by adding the advantages of the combined modalities. This article provides an up-to-date overview of new MRI techniques and innovative hybrid imaging modalities and summarizes the first available results of these procedures in rheumatologic applications.