Authors: Alexandros A. Drosos, Eleftherios Pelechas & Paraskevi V. Voulgari
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Among the imaging modalities for the investigation of articular damage of patients with peripheral inflammatory arthropathies, conventional radiography (CR) is the mostly used. Other imaging modalities such as the musculoskeletal ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and dual-energy computed tomography scans are often used depending on a patient’s clinical needs.
Recent Findings
With the publication of new classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathies, polymyalgia rheumatica, and others, many physicians are not using any of the above imaging techniques because they believe that by relying only on the classification criteria of a disease the diagnosis can be an easy task.
Summary
We present a patient with peripheral symmetrical polyarthritis involving the small joints of the hands, diagnosed and treated as RA and we discuss the role of imaging, especially the use of CR as an initial screening tool for the evaluation of the articular manifestations and joint damage, and its further usefulness in order to reach a definitive correct diagnosis.
Key Summary Points |
Conventional radiography is a helpful imaging technique and should be used appropriately. |
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease is a common clinical entity and should be sought in patients with presumed hand arthritis. |
Hand and wrist radiographs should be carried out in patients with a clinical picture of inflammatory arthritis. |
There is no standard treatment for calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, but colchicine and methotrexate have been proven to be helpful in some cases. |