MR Imaging of Inflammatory, Crystalline-induced, and Infectious Arthritides of the Hand and Wrist

This review highlights the pivotal role of MR imaging in the evaluation of inflammatory, crystalline-induced, and infectious arthritides affecting the hand and wrist. MR imaging offers superior sensitivity over other imaging modalities for detecting early pathologic changes, including synovitis, osteitis, bone erosion, and tenosynovitis. It assists in differentiating between the different types of arthritides by identifying characteristic imaging patterns. Early use of MR imaging enables timely, targeted intervention, minimizing the risk of irreversible joint damage. Familiarity with MR imaging findings should improve diagnostic accuracy and facilitate optimal clinical management, improving patient outcomes in complex cases of hand and wrist arthropathy.