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.