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Wing-Chi E. Kwok, Ph.D. Research

High-resolution MRI

Using special RF coils and pulse sequences that we developed, we have been conducting high-resolution MRI on human and small animals. Our research projects include technical developments to improve the diagnosis of arthritic diseases as well as to evaluate drug treatment for those diseases. We have been collaborating with Orthopedic, Rheumatology and Biomedical Engineering Departments on the arthritis studies.

Finger joint imaging

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Using a dedicated finger RF coil (a), we conducted in vivo and specimens imaging of finger joints at1.5T. Gadolinium-enhanced images from a psoriatic arthritis (PsA) subject indicate bone marrow edema in the distal interphalangeal joint (b). On another PsA subject, extensive bone erosion and joint damage are seen (c). Images from cadaver specimens (d) are compared with corresponding histology sections (e) to characterize the MRI findings.

Mouse knee joint imaging
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In a longitudinal animal study to evaluate drug treatment of rheumatic arthritis, mouse knees were imaged at 3T using a dedicated RF coil and special high-resolution sequences. Figures show images of transgenic (a,b) and wild-type (c,d) mice without (a,c) and with (b,d) contrast enhancement. Large pannus and serious bone erosions are observed in the transgenic mouse.

Selected Publications/Presentations:

  1. Proulx ST, Kwok WE, You Z, et al. Longitudinal Assessment of Synovial, Lymph Node, and Bone Volumes in Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice using in vivo MRI and micro-CT. Arthritis and Rheumatism, In Press.
  2. Proulx ST, Kwok WE, You Z, et al. MRI and Quantification of Draining Lymph Node Function in Inflammatory Arthritis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, In Press.
  3. Lerner AL, Salo AD, You Z, Kwok WE. Evaluation of High-resolution Water/Fat MR Imaging of Finger Joints for Psoriatic Arthritis. In: Proceedings of 53rd Annual Meeting of Orthopaedic Research Society, San Diego, California, 2007, poster 721.
  4. Kwok WE, You Z, Lerner A, Salo A, Ritchlin C, Monu JU. High-Resolution MR Imaging of Psoriatic Arthritis Fingers Using a Specially Designed RF Coil and an Improved Water/Fat Pulse Sequence. In: Proceedings of Radiological Society of North America 2006, p282.
  5. Kwok WE, Proulx S, You Z, Schwarz EM, Totterman SM. High-resolution in vivo MR imaging of mouse knee on a whole-body 3-Tesla system. In: Proceedings of ISMRM 14th Scientific Meeting and Exhibition, Seattle 2006, p3244.