Early musculoskeletal MRI findings in a cohort of patients with psoriasis in central Greece

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the presence cohort study is to investigate the extent of early articular involvement of peripheral skeleton determined by MRI in patients with psoriasis. Materials and methods: Seventy five (75) eligible patients with psoriasis and nail involvement were as-sessed according to NAPSI, PASI score and underwent a 3 Tesla MRI study of either hand or foot, depending on the most affected area. Results: Based on our findings, bone oedema was found in 41% of our patients (31 patients), cysts were found in 9% corresponding to seven patients. Both bone ra-diological findings were recorded to 7% corresponding to five patients. In soft tissue imaging findings we included mostly the sausage digit and six patients were recorded with this abnormal finding. In the last radio-logical finding category concerned the joints, erosions were recorded in 26 patients (35%), synovitis in 49 (65%), enthesitis in 44 patients (59%), tendonitis in 36 patients corresponding to 48% of total patients and all the above simultaneously in 15 patients corresponding to 20% of all patients. All patients with positive inflam-matory findings were suffering from nail psoriasis and were associated with a high NAPSI score. A statistically significant correlation was found between group 4 with NAPSI score 120-160 and overall imaging findings of either hand (p – 0.03) or foot (p=0.04). Conclusion: MRI is a useful tool with an important diagnostic role in the detection of early psoriatic arthritis (PsA) of the peripheral skeleton, in a selected group of patients with extensive cutaneous involvement and nail psoriasis. Collaboration between radiologists and dermatologists could prevent the development of psoriasis into PsA and irreversible joint disease. © 2022, Zita Medical Managent. All rights reserved.