Recent evidence highlights the role of low-grade synovial inflammation in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Inflamed synovium of OA joints detected by imaging modalities are associated with subsequent progression of OA. In this sense, detecting and quantifying synovitis of OA by imaging modalities may be valuable in predicting OA progressors as well as in improving our understanding of OA progression. Of the several imaging modalities, molecular imaging such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has an advantage of visualizing the cellular or subcellular events of the tissues. Depending on the radiotracers used, molecular imaging method can potentially detect and visualize various aspects of synovial inflammation. This narrative review summarizes the recent progresses of imaging modalities in assessing inflammation and OA synovitis and focuses on novel radiotracers. Recent studies about imaging modalities including ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and molecular imaging that were used to detect and quantify inflammation and OA synovitis are summarized. Novel radiotracers specifically targeting the components of inflammation have been developed. These tracers may show promise in detecting inflamed synovium of OA and help in expanding our understanding of OA progression.

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评估骨关节炎相关滑膜炎的分子成像：叙述性综述

最近的证据强调了低度滑膜炎症在骨关节炎 (OA) 进展中的作用。通过成像方式检测到的 OA 关节滑膜发炎与 OA 的后续进展相关。从这个意义上说，通过成像方式检测和量化 OA 滑膜炎可能对于预测 OA 进展以及提高我们对 OA 进展的理解很有价值。在多种成像方式中，分子成像如正电子发射断层扫描 (PET) 和单光子发射计算机断层扫描 (SPECT) 具有使组织的细胞或亚细胞事件可视化的优势。根据所使用的放射性示踪剂，分子成像方法可以潜在地检测和可视化滑膜炎症的各个方面。这篇叙述性综述总结了成像方式在评估炎症和 OA 滑膜炎方面的最新进展，并重点关注新型放射性示踪剂。总结了最近关于用于检测和量化炎症和 OA 滑膜炎的成像方式的研究，包括超声检查 (US)、磁共振成像 (MRI) 和分子成像。专门针对炎症成分的新型放射性示踪剂已经开发出来。这些示踪剂可能有望检测 OA 滑膜发炎，并有助于扩大我们对 OA 进展的了解。