The 'disconnect' between synovitis and erosion in rheumatoid arthritis: a result of treatment or intrinsic to the disease process itself?

摘要

The use of advanced imaging modalities has allowed greater understanding of the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease process and the links between inflammation and damage. The study by Dohn et al reported in this issue of the journal (see article on page 252.) is the largest yet published to systematically examine responses to combination anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy (adali-mumab/methotrexate) in patients na'ive to biological agents using MRI, ultrasound (US), plain radiography and high-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning. The inclusion of all four imaging modalities allows important questions to be asked.