Rheumatoid arthritis - shoulder

Case contributed by Dalia Ibrahim
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right shoulder pain.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years old
Gender: Male

Diffuse circumferential synovial thickening with rice bodies associated with mild joint effusion.

Arthropathic changes of the glenohumeral joint evident by narrowing of its joint space, subchondral marrow degenerative changes and pseudocystic changes.

Diffusely attenuated glenoid labrum.

Opinion: Findings are impressive of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti CCP Abs: 104 IU/mL (Ref 0-5)

Rheumatoid factor: 32 IU/mL (Ref 0-20)

25-Hydroxycolecalciferol Vitamin D: 13 ng/mL (Moderate deficiency)

Case Discussion

Features of rheumatoid arthritis best demonstrated with MRI include :

  • synovial hyperemia: an indication of acute inflammation

  • synovial hyperplasia (rice bodies)

  • pannus formation

  • decreased thickness of cartilage

  • subchondral cysts and erosions:

    • MRI is much more sensitive than radiography

      • it is thought that subchondral cysts in rheumatoid arthritis eventually progress to erosions (i.e. constitute "pre-erosions")

    • contrast enhancement may distinguish erosions or pre-erosions from degenerative subchondral cysts

  • juxta-articular bone marrow edema

  • joint effusions

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