MRI scan for RA

[Stoli72]

Hello,

Thankfully my RA seems to be relatively under control but I have a friend abroad (in Italy) who is facing a lot of problems and wanted to ask the wisdom of the board.

They have complex health issues and have presented with some classic RA symptoms along with other things but are seronegative - the rheumatologist told them as a result that it is neuropathic, didn't do any other tests and sends them to another specialist who tells them it isn't.

They want to push for further tests - such as an ultrasound and were also wondering about an MRI. Have others had MRI scan to help diagnose their RA and was it with/without contrast? How useful was it?

They are just trying to gather enough information to know what to ask so any experience of non-blood test diagnostics for RA would be helpful to hear about.

Many thanks, Emma

[helixhelix]

if your friend has specific joints that are swollen, or hot and red, then ultrasound would be good. My rheumy has one in her office and regularly check my joints.

I have also had MRIs (with contrast) good effect on bits of my body, but the gold star diagnostic would be a nuclear bone scan.

[Chockyuk]

Hello 👋

I’m sorry to hear about your friend.

Although I was diagnosed 4 years ago, I’m seropositive, I did have an MRI earlier this year. My hip at the time was very painful and as my Rheumatologist couldn’t really see swellings in large joints, she wanted to double check it was the RA causing the hip pain and nothing else. Anyway the MRI with contrast came back with severe inflammation, so that settled that particular problem. As @helixhelix said above, I also had a nuclear bone scan which also showed up spots of inflammation- So yes it is a good indicator.

I hope things work out for your friend.

[Liveindevon]

I've had ra for 15 years now. I'm still testing sero negative. I was diagnosed via ultrasound plus consultant's judgement. He said the sero test often wasn't positive until ra more advanced, but earlier treatment is to be aimed for. He also said many people, like me, never test positive but that doesn't mean there's no disease. He did an ultrasound at every visit and we could always see the inflammation on the fingers and hands

[wilbertjellyfish]

I had an MRI to rule in/out ankolysising spondylosis.

Ive also had joints ultrasounded as part of the initial diagnosis. I'm also seronegative

It was day Harry and Megan got married. It was not pleasant, hence I remember the date.

[Stoli72]

Thanks for all the replies. That's really helpful information to pass on.

Emma