MR Imaging of Hand and Wrist Inflammation in Children.

Inflammatory disorders frequently affect the pediatric hand and wrist, with potential for early structural damage and negative impact on skills acquisition, activity participation, and quality of life. Variable clinical presentation, incomplete ossification, and subclinical inflammation make MR imaging a core modality in evaluating disease activity and progression. A basic familiarity with MR imaging findings of pediatric inflammatory arthropathies and systemic connective tissue diseases can inform a fruitful discussion with the care team to devise an appropriate treatment strategy.