Imaging

What you want to see in progressive images of knee osteoarthritis is not a particular kind of change, but homeostasis, to judge from two studies presented at the annual meeting of OARSI. More »

The ACR's new list of probably unnecessary procedures set this emeritus rheumatologist wondering about another procedure that might be unwarranted: MRI for low back pain or sciatica in an older patient with no red flags. What does it accomplish beyond satisfying curiosity? More »

A series of studies using functional MRI have identified brain-signal patterns specific for pain that are attenuated by opioids: Also last week: top rheumatology findings of 2012, more on TNF inhibitors and cancer, and concerns about vitamin D. More »

Evaluating fewer and more targeted foot and hand joints with B-mode and power Doppler ultrasound proves just as effective as the broader 44-joint assessment in detecting clinical remission. More »

Elderly patients with late-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have more inflammation in their joints than younger RA patients, even though their overall clinical disease activity (as measured by composite scores such as the Simplified Disease Activity Index or SDAI) does not appear different. More »

An editorial contends that salivary gland ultrasonography should be added to the diagnostic tools for Sjögren's syndrome included in current criteria. More »

Among presentations on OA at last month’s American College of Rheumatology meeting, several described ways of identifying or predicting disease status and progression—through imaging, clinical features, and biochemical markers. More »

(VIDEO) Ultrasound can trump the DAS28 in judging the equation between rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and joint signs when making treatment decisions. James Dale MD describes his study reported at the American College of Rheumatology meeting. More »

Relatively inexpensive, safe, and effective, musculoskeletal ultrasound has been widely accepted in rheumatology without evidence for its benefits. A review panel for the American College of Rheumatology has issued evidence-based recommendations, which will be discussed in detail next week at its... More »

The 27-year-old patient sustained a FOOSH (fall on outstretched hand) injury while roller skating. What classic imaging sign appears on the radiograph of his injured left elbow? More »