The role of MRI and Sonography in Musculoskeletal Tumors and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review

Alotaibi, Mohammed Majed; Alotaibi, Tariq Majed; Alotaibi, Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdullah; Almousa, Fahad Sulaiman; Almutairi, Meshari Zayed; Al-Saleem, Abdullah Ali Ali; Lami, Yasmine Abdullah Mohammed; Al-Shahrani, Asmaa Nasser Ali; Al-Asiri, Shaima Yahya Jaber; ALfawaz, Waleed Fahad

doi:10.21608/jmals.2025.448147

The role of MRI and Sonography in Musculoskeletal Tumors and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Radiology, Saudi Arabia

² King Abdulaziz Medical City, Human Medicine, Saudi Arabia

³ General Directorate of Medical Services, Saudi Arabia

⁴ King Fahad Medical City, Internal Medicine, Saudi Arabia

⁵ King Fahad Medical City, Family Medicine, Saudi Arabia

⁶ Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/jmals.2025.448147

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal tumors and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) account for significant clinical entities that need precise imaging techniques for diagnosis and management. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sonography are important non-invasive imaging modalities that provide detailed anatomical and functional assessments of tissue. Aim: This review aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of MRI and sonography in musculoskeletal tumors and RA while comparing advantages, limitations, and developments within these modalities. Methods: A systematic search of relevant articles in the literature was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was conducted from 2000 to 2024, focused on MRI and sonography as a whole on musculoskeletal tumors and RA. All relevant articles on MRI and sonography's use in both populations were included, regardless of the location of the study. Articles with a focus on diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were recorded from each relevant article. The data were synthesized qualitatively, and where possible, meta-analyses were conducted. Results: MRI shows sensitivity for characterization of musculoskeletal tumors of 90-95%, specifically for osteosarcoma and liposarcoma, and for identifying RA synovitis and erosions. Sonography provides 85-90% sensitivity for superficial tumors and for RA monitoring with power Doppler, while other features such as contrast-enhanced MRI and 3-dimensional ultrasound aid with the diagnostic process. Conclusions: MRI would be considered the gold standard for musculoskeletal tumors, but sonography is a superb method of monitoring RA multiple times and an efficient and cost-effective method to assess a tumor. Overall, reviewing MRI and Sonography as two imaging modalities provides the best-case prognosis and client outcomes for rehabilitation.

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