Utility of in-office extremity magnetic resonance imaging in rheumatology

of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis and management of inflammatory arthritides has ushered robust changes in patient outcomes. The efficacy of MRI in detecting inflammation and damage together has raised the expectation of imaging in rheumatology. In-office extremity MRI (eMRI) systems, designed to image the peripheral joints of upper and lower extremities, are small enough to be used in clinics, have smaller fringe magnetic field, are less expensive, and reduce patient discomfort, with comparable diagnostic power. Though less sensitive in detecting osteitis, these systems have been shown to be effective in early diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This review focuses on eMRI systems, outlining their principle, utility in different inflammatory arthritides, and shortcomings.