ARTHRITIC CHANGES OF SMALL AND LARGE JOINTS AS SHOWN BY DIGITAL AND CONVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHS

In order to evaluate the suitability of digital radiography for the di agnosis of skeletal abnormalities, inflammatory joint changes were use d to test this technique. Early erosive changes, fine irregularities a nd marginal lamellar abnormalities demand a high degree of resolution from the imaging method. 6 observers studied images of the hand of 67 and of the foot of 19 patients. Joint changes were staged according to the scheme proposed by Larsen; in this study the early stages predomi nated. With similar techniques there were no significant differences b etween the digital and conventional techniques. Images of 39 large joi nts (knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle) were compared only subjectively sin ce even minor differences in projection were able to obscure some eros ions. However, in this case also both techniques appear to be of simil ar value.