Supplementing standard x-rays with extremity MRI for the in-office diagnosis and monitoring of patients with rheumatoid arthritis could significantly improve the quality of care, according to Dr. Norman B. Gaylis, a rheumatologist in Aventura, Fla.

After biologic therapy revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the key concern became early identification of erosive disease. Dr. Gaylis explained. "We're faced every day with the dilemma of which patients to put on a biologic agent. If you see erosions you are more likely to go with a biologic agent rather than staying with a conventional disease-modifying drug."

But early erosions and other early poor ...