Radiography in Inflammatory Arthritis: Current Roles and Updates in Automated Assessment

Abstract

Plain radiography continues to be a crucial imaging modality in the field of rheumatology. It provides a comprehensive view of bone-related changes and highlights soft tissue abnormalities. The significance of radiography extends to early disease detection, aiding in differentiating various conditions and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. It remains the preferred imaging technique for evaluating disease progression, offering insights into cumulative damage over time.

In the early stages of arthritis, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are the preferred methods because they can identify subtle disease activity, such as synovitis, tenosynovitis, and dactylitis, osteitis or bone edema, and enthesitis. But they have a lower specificity in distinguishing among various rheumatic conditions.

We evaluate the use of radiography in inflammatory arthropathies, highlighting its role in differential diagnoses. Advances in automated radiographic assessment for arthritis are addressed. The discussion encompasses rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, other connective tissue diseases, and spondyloarthritis.

Keywords

radiography - rheumatic diseases - inflammatory arthritis - spondyloarthritis - artificial intelligence

Publication History

Article published online:
31 March 2025

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