Imaging of systemic rheumatoid diseases involving the musculoskeletal system

Conventional radiographs have been shown suitable to survey rheumatic lesions and document them in a standardized form. This technique, however, is limited to advanced stages of the disease with bone and joint destruction. In early arthritis, the quantification of inflammatory activity and recently also healing processes are better documented with MRI or ultrasound. As a result, finding low-grade abnormalities and tissue repair is gaining increasing importance in diagnostic imaging. (orig.)