Robert Hemke MD,PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Cristina Lavini DPhil, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Charlotte M. Nusman MSc, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

J. Merlijn van den Berg, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Koert M. Dolman, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marion Van Rossum MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Taco Kuijpers MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mario Maas MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To compare dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI parameters and the relative number of time intensity curve (TIC) shapes as derived from pixel-by-pixel DCE-MRI TIC-shape analysis between knees of clinically active and inactive juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients.

This prospective observational study was approved by the institutional review board and written informed consent was obtained. DCE-MRI datasets of JIA patients were prospectively obtained. Patients were classified into two clinical groups: active disease (n=49) and inactive disease (n=36). Parametric maps, showing 7 different TIC shape types, were created per slice. Statistical measures of the relative number of different TIC shapes, maximal enhancement (ME), maximal initial slope (MIS), initial area under the curve (iAUC), time-to-peak (TTP), and enhancing volume (EV) of each voxel were calculated in a three-dimensional volume of interest of the synovial membrane.

Imaging findings from 85 JIA patients were analyzed. Significantly higher numbers of TIC shape 4 (P=0.001), median ME (P=0.004), MIS(P=0.001), iAUC (P=0.002), and EV (P=0.013) were observed in clinically active compared with inactive patients. TIC shape 5 was more present in the clinically inactive patients (P=0.018). The intra-observer reliability was very good regarding all DCE-MRI parameters (ICC=0.93-1.00)

The pixel-by-pixel DCE-MRI TIC-shape analysis method proved capable of differentiating clinically active from inactive JIA patients by the difference in the number of TIC shapes 4 and 5, as well as by the descriptive parameters ME, MIS, iAUC and EV. Therefore, it may serve as an objective, more quantitative outcome measure of imaging in clinical trials and future research.

The pixel-by-pixel DCE-MRI TIC-shape analysis is able to differentiate clinically active from inactive JIA patients using the relative number of TIC shapes 4 and 5 and descriptive parameters ME, MIS, and iAUC.

Hemke, R, Lavini, C, Nusman, C, van den Berg, J, Dolman, K, Van Rossum, M, Kuijpers, T, Maas, M, DCE-MRI Curve Shape Patterns in Active and Inactive Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients Using a Pixel-by-Pixel Time-intensity Curve Shape Analysis Method.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14003429.html