Imaging
Abstract
Plain radiography plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with erosion, osteopenia and soft tissue swelling in a diffuse, bilateral symmetrical distribution in the proximal hands and feet. In contrast, seronegative arthritis shows bony proliferation and often involves the axial skeleton. Radiographic features of osteoarthritis are joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, cysts and osteophytes. Newer techniques of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound show great promise for the early detection of arthritis and the demonstration of early response to treatment.
Keywords: ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ultrasound, X-ray
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PII: S1357-3039(09)00326-0
doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2009.11.001
© 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

