Musculoskeletal radiology (oncology and rheumatology)

Rheumatology Imaging

Research is focussed on the use of MRI on the early detection of rheumatic diseases in order to treat early and prevent damage. Multiple grants, in close collaboration with the department of rheumatology, facilitate research with PhD students in a large (inter) national network.

Early detection of  Rheumatoid Arthritis.

New MRI techniques facilitate fast imaging and patient comfort.  

Our vision is that, ultimately, the short and non-invasive MRI protocol of the hands, based on a modified Dixon-sequence will be assessed by computerized reading of inflammatory features based on deep learning, so that the quick scan is followed by a rapid result.  Currently artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in evaluating MRI scans. This work, supported by grants from the Dutch Research Council (NWO), currently focuses on using AI for automated reading of joint inflammation on conventional MRI.

Early detection of  Rheumatoid Arthritis.

New MRI techniques facilitate fast imaging and patient comfort.  

Our vision is that, ultimately, the short and non-invasive MRI protocol of the hands, based on a modified Dixon-sequence will be assessed by computerized reading of inflammatory features based on deep learning, so that the quick scan is followed by a rapid result.  Currently artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in evaluating MRI scans. This work, supported by grants from the Dutch Research Council (NWO), currently focuses on using AI for automated reading of joint inflammation on conventional MRI.

Imaging Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)

Robust MRI of SI joints can shift early disease detection into a pre-radiographic phase.

Our goal is to unravel the reliability of AxSpA diagnosis using the earliest signs of AxSpA on MRI. To this end inflammatory and structural lesions of the sacroiliac joints and spine in large patient cohorts with 10 year follow-up are investigated. International collaboration between rheumatologists and radiologists is key. (SPACE, DESIR, ASAS).  

Themes for Innovation

Team members

  • Dr. M Reijnierse,radiologist
  • Prof. AHM van der Helm, rheumatologist
  • Prof. DMFM van der Heijde, Rheumatologist
  • Dr. F van Gaalen, rheumatologist
  • Prof. G Kloppenburg, rheumatologist
  • Dr. B Stoel, engineer
  • Prof. B Lelieveldt, engineer