IMAGING IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

The radiographic changes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) consist of peria rticular soft tissue swelling, osteoporosis, symmetric narrowing of th e joint space associated with marginal or central erosions. Convention al radiography is the basic imaging method in RA due to its high impac t on differential diagnosis. MRI and bone scintigraphy are second line imaging methods in early stages of arthritis. Hypervascularized pannu s can noninvasively and in a detailed way be depicted using intravenou sly applicated Gadolinium-DTPA. Follow-up examinations of the clinical and radiographic findings are adequate in advanced stages. Additional sonography and computed tomography are supplementary methods.