Computer-Assisted Dynamic Contrast–Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantiﬁcation Method for Assessment of Synovial Inﬂammation in Active Arthritis - Correlation With Synovial and Blood Biomarkers

Q: What is the study’s objective?

To evaluate the correlation and association between DCE-MRI quantification (DEMRIQ) parameters and local/systemic inflammation markers in patients with acute knee arthritis of various etiologies.

Q: How were DEMRIQ parameters and inflammation markers measured?

Patients underwent DCE-MRI, and DEMRIQ parameters were extracted. Inflammation markers were obtained from blood and synovial fluid collected through ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis of the affected joint.

Q: Did DEMRIQ parameters correlate with biomarkers in all arthritis subgroups?

No. Significant correlations were reported in RF+RA and seronegative arthritis groups, whereas the osteoarthritis (OA) group showed no significant correlation.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi

Objective investigates how dynamic contrast–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) quantification (DEMRIQ) parameters relate to local and systemic inflammation markers in patients with acute knee arthritis from diverse etiologies. Methods use a cross-sectional cohort undergoing DCE-MRI with DEMRIQ parameter extraction alongside blood and synovial-fluid markers collected via ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis. Spearman correlations and linear regression evaluate associations between DEMRIQ metrics and inflammatory biomarkers. Results show etiology-dependent relationships, including significant correlations in RF+RA and seronegative arthritis, while OA shows no significant correlation. Conclusion supports DEMRIQ as a window into synovial inflammation severity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Synovitis and its clinical importance

Rationale for DCE-MRI and quantitative assessment

ACR Open Rheumatology Vol. 8, No. 1, January 2026, e70154 DOI 10.1002/acr2.70154 © 2026 The Author(s). ACR Open Rheumatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Rheumatology. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. Computer-Assisted Dynamic Contrast–Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantiﬁcation Method for Assessment of Synovial Inﬂammation in Active Arthritis: Correlation With Synovial and Blood Biomarkers M. Boesen,1,2,3 D. Shakoor,4 O. Kubassova,3 R. Riis,1,5 H. Bliddal,1 C. Ballegaard,1 J. A. Carrino,4 and E. M. Bartels1,6 Objective. To investigate the correlation and association between dynamic contrast–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) quantiﬁcation (DEMRIQ) parameters with local and systematic markers of inﬂammation inpatients with various etiologies of acute knee arthritis. Methods. In a cross-sectional setting, patients with symptoms of acute knee arthritis underwent DCE-MRI, and DEMRIQ parameters were acquired. Markers of inﬂammation were obtained from the blood and synovial ﬂuid through ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis of the affected joint. Spearman correlation and linear regression were performed to assess the correlation and association between DEMRIQ parameters and markers of inﬂammation, respectively. Results. Forty-one patients, including 12 with rheumatoid factor–positive rheumatoid arthritis (RF+RA), 6 with rheumatoid factor–negative RA (RF−RA), 6 with psoriatic arthritis, 3 with reactive arthritis, and 14 with osteoarthritis (OA), were imaged. In the RF+RA group, all DEMRIQ variables correlated signiﬁcantly with joint ﬂuid interleukin-6 level (r ≥ 0.6) and number of neutrophils and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells (r ≥ 0.8), whereas MExNvoxel and IRExNvoxel correlated with synovial inﬂammatory cells and blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (r ≥ 0.6) . In patients with RF−RA, MExNvoxel correlated with blood CRP level (r = 0 .8), joint ﬂuid white blood cells, and neutrophils and PMN cells (r = 1) . In the seronegative arthritis group, IRExNvoxel correlated with blood CRP, joint ﬂuid PMN cells, and neutrophils (r ≥ 0.7) . No signiﬁcant correlation was seen in the OA group. There was a signiﬁcant regression correlation between MExNvoxel and inﬂammatory inﬁltrates from joint ﬂuid in RF+RA group (P < 0.05) . Conclusion. DEMRIQ parameters exhibit varying relationships with local synovial and systemic inﬂammatory blood biomarkers across different etiologies of knee arthritis, which could provide insight into the level of inﬂammation in the affected joint. INTRODUCTION Synovitis is characterized by inﬂammation of the synovial membrane and can manifest itself as acute arthritis affecting diarthrodial joints, including the knee. 1,2 Although synovitis is a deﬁning feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), mounting evidence suggests its signiﬁcant role in the development and progression of other inﬂammatory arthritides such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis, and osteoarthritis (OA) .3–7 Persistent synovitis has also been associated with pain, erosive osseous changes, and cartilage loss.3,4,8,9 Additionally, early detection of synovial inﬂammation is crucial in preventing joint damage and permanent functional disability.10 Consequently, recent initiatives aim to address synovitis as a treatment target and develop noninvasive reliable methods to assess the degree of synovial inﬂammation as well as delivering early correct diagnoses in patients presenting with acute arthritis.4,7,11–13 Dynamic contrast–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a well-established imaging modality for evaluating Supported by the Oak Foundation (grant OCAY-13-309) by a general grant to the Parker Institute and by Novo Nordisk. 1The Par

FAQs

What is the study’s objective?

To evaluate the correlation and association between DCE-MRI quantification (DEMRIQ) parameters and local/systemic inflammation markers in patients with acute knee arthritis of various etiologies.

How were DEMRIQ parameters and inflammation markers measured?

Patients underwent DCE-MRI, and DEMRIQ parameters were extracted. Inflammation markers were obtained from blood and synovial fluid collected through ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis of the affected joint.

Did DEMRIQ parameters correlate with biomarkers in all arthritis subgroups?

No. Significant correlations were reported in RF+RA and seronegative arthritis groups, whereas the osteoarthritis (OA) group showed no significant correlation.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi