MRI of inflammatory synovial processes.

MRI was used to evaluate inflammatory synovial processes in 53 patients over a 4-year period. Multiple disease processes were imaged, including: rheumatoid arthritis [n = 12], osteochondromatosis [n = 6], bursal abnormalities [n = 17], ganglion cyst [n = 1], meniscal cyst [n = 5], hemophilia [n = 1], and septic arthritis [n = 11]. The soft tissue contrast resolution of MRI and its multiplanar capability makes it particularly suitable for evaluating masslike or fluid inflammatory processes for diagnostic purposes, to determine extent of disease, and in some cases, to determine the composition of the inflammatory processes.