CT trumps x-ray in monitoring arthritic patients’ joints
Though it’s not yet approved for use in clinical trials, research out of the University of Cambridge has found that computed tomography of the joints could be a more accurate, less invasive alternative to x-ray for monitoring patients with arthritis.
Lead author Tom Turmezei, MD, of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering wrote in Scientific Reports that while osteoarthritis is typically diagnosed via x-ray, the modality lacks the sensitivity to monitor subtle changes in joints over time.
“In addition to their lack of sensitivity, two-dimensional X-rays rely on humans to interpret them,” he said in a release. “Our ability to detect structural changes to identify disease early, monitor progression and predict treatment response is frustratingly limited by this.”
Instead of taking the conventional route, Turmezei and his colleagues developed a technique that used CT, rather than x-ray, to produce ultra-detailed images of joints in 3D. The method, tested on hip joints in cadavers whose bodies were donated to medical research, uses a semi-automated technique called “joint space mapping” to analyze CT images and identify any changes in the space between joints over time.
“Using this technique, we’ll hopefully be able to identify osteoarthritis earlier, and look at potential treatments before it becomes debilitating,” Turmezei said. “It could be used to screen at-risk populations, such as those with known arthritis, previous joint injury or elite athletes who are at risk of developing arthritis due to the continued strain placed on their joints.”
As computed tomography develops to accommodate smaller doses of radiation, Turmezei said, its clinical use is expanding. And studies like these prove that 3D imaging modalities rival existing 2D techniques.
“We’ve shown that this technique could be a valuable tool for the analysis of arthritis, in both clinical and research settings,” Turmezei said. “When combined with 3D statistical analysis, it could also be used to speed up the development of new treatments."
After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s in journalism, Anicka joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering cardiology. Close to her heart is long-form journalism, Pilot G-2 pens, dark chocolate and her dog Harper Lee.