Evaluation of the patient D. imaging of rheumatologic diseases

Conventional radiographs are the initial imaging agent of choice for most rheumatic conditions. For most forms of arthritis, no additional imaging studies are required. Trabecular bone and small bone erosions are visualized well by conventional radiography. Weight-bearing views of the knees are important in the evaluation of significant knee osteoarthritis. Computed tomography (CT) is superior to conventional radiographs in the assessment of certain joint conditions, including many cases of tarsal coalition, sacroiliitis, osteonecrosis, and sternoclavicular joint disease. High resolution CT of the lungs is an essential adjunct to the evaluation of many inflammatory rheumatic diseases, for example, systemic sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, and other disorders associated with signs of interstitial lung disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which has superior imaging capabilities of soft tissue and bone marrow lesions, is the study of choice for a host of musculoskeletal diagnoses, including meniscal tears of the knee, spinal disc herniations, osteonecrosis, osteomyelitis, skeletal neoplasms, and others. Bone densitometry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis.