Keywords:
Arthritides, Education, Conventional radiography, Musculoskeletal system, Musculoskeletal joint, Musculoskeletal bone
Authors:
H. D. Peiris, C. Lord, V. T. Skiadas, M. Sampson; Southampton/UK
DOI:
10.1594/essr2017/P-0276
Learning objectives
In the days of diagnostic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
the mainstay of assessment of radiological changes in arthritis nonetheless remains the plain radiograph,
usually of the hands and feet.
Interpreting radiographs of patients with arthritis can be a daunting task.
Shortening of radiological training and the need to encompass more and more complex cross sectional interpretation within that training time results in more limited exposure of trainee radiologists to the basic plain radiograph.
Our aims are to illustrate through a pictorial review the common radiographic changes of the hands and feet in different forms of arthritis and to provide a systematic approach and diagnostic framework in order to aid interpretation formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis.