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Computer-Assisted Image Analysis in Assessment of Peripheral Joint MRI in Inflammatory Arthritis: A Systematic Review
Arya Haj-Mirzaian1, Olga Kubassova2, Mikael Boesen3
1Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
ACR Open Rheumatology
|June 11, 2022
Summary
Computer-assisted MRI analysis of inflammatory arthritis shows excellent reliability and validity for quantifying joint pathologies. This technology offers a viable complement to traditional scoring methods in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Medical Imaging
- Rheumatology
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Background:
- Inflammatory arthritis poses a significant burden, necessitating accurate joint assessment.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for evaluating joint pathologies in inflammatory arthritis.
- Current manual assessment methods can be time-consuming and subjective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of computer-assisted quantification of joint pathologies in inflammatory arthritis using MRI.
- To assess the reliability, validity, and efficiency of automated MRI analysis methods.
- To determine if computer-aided quantification can serve as a complement to conventional scoring.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search (1985-2021) for studies on computer-assisted MRI in inflammatory arthritis.
- Inclusion of studies assessing structural damage or synovitis using (semi)automated methods.
- Data pooling using random-effects models and meta-regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Twenty-eight studies (1342 MRIs) were analyzed, showing excellent intra- and inter-reader reliability for computer-aided quantification of bone erosion volume (BEV), synovial volume (SV), and DCE-MRI perfusion parameters.
- Computer-aided measurements of BEV, SV, and DCE-MRI biomarkers correlated significantly with the Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (RAMRIS).
- Automated analysis was efficient, with BEV/SV taking 17 minutes and DCE-MRI 4 minutes, compared to manual assessments.
Conclusions:
- Computer-aided MRI quantification technologies demonstrate high reliability and validity for assessing peripheral joint pathologies in inflammatory arthritis.
- These automated methods are a viable complement to observer-based scoring in clinical trials.
- This emerging field enhances the evaluation of inflammatory arthritis, potentially enabling earlier assessment of treatment efficacy.
