TY - JOUR AU - Bugatti, Serena AU - Manzo, Antonio AU - Caporali, Roberto AU - Montecucco, Carlomaurizio PY - 2012 DA - 2012/12/27 TI - Inflammatory lesions in the bone marrow of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a morphological perspective JO - Arthritis Research & Therapy SP - 229 VL - 14 IS - 6 AB - The synovial tissue stands at the epicenter of joint pathology in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a primary target of the disease, studies on the synovium have provided invaluable insights into the mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis. Recent work has, however, revealed the importance of a previously unseen anatomic compartment in direct contact with the joint space, namely the subchondral bone marrow. Bone marrow edema (BME) visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is clinically meaningful in both early and late RA as it associates with future development of bone erosions and poor functional outcomes. Although the histopathologic correlates of MRI-based BME in early RA remain obscure, studies in advanced disease are consistent in describing lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates within the subchondral marrow cavity of affected joints. In this review, we discuss the nature of bone marrow lesions in patients with RA, analyze their relationship with synovitis, and explore their potential contribution to the pathological processes of the disease. SN - 1478-6354 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/ar4115 DO - 10.1186/ar4115 ID - Bugatti2012 ER -