Preface

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000), nearly 70 million, or one in three, adults in the United States have arthritis and chronic joint symptoms. Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are among the leading cause of all health conditions and are the number-one culprit of disability in the United States.

The radiographic manifestations of arthritis such as joint narrowing and bone erosions are late manifestations. One should not wait to see these irreversible changes on the radiograph. Precious windows of opportunity would be lost if erosive arthritides are not treated in early stages timely and aggressively with current disease-modifying drugs and before the disability ensues. Advanced imaging modalities such as contract-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), color Doppler ultrasound, and bone scintigraphy are capable of early detection of arthritis. MRI depicts early bone erosions when plain radiographs are still normal. Enhanced MRI differentiates synovial proliferation from fluid and discovers cysts, tenosynovitis bursitis, and intra- and extraosseous pannus formation.

I have covered this important and fascinating subject in two issues of Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology. Conventional and advanced imaging techniques are discussed and are well-illustrated. This current issue includes eight articles dealing with inflammatory arthritides (rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis in children, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, hemophilic arthritis, infectious arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, and erosive osteoarthritis). The next issue includes seven articles; the first three examine crystal deposition diseases, including gout, calcium-pyrophosphate deposition, and hydroxyapatite deposition diseases. The following three articles discuss amyloid arthritis, pigmented villonodular synovitis, and neuropathic joint diseases. The last article reviews arthritides associated with dermatologic conditions.

I thank all of the authors contributing to this issue for the great cooperation and timely submission of their excellent articles. I am indebted to our Editors in Chief, David Karasick and Mark Schweitzer, for inviting me to edit this exciting issue. I also appreciate Mr. Erik Wenskus, Thieme Production Editor, for his cooperation and timely guidance. My special thanks go to Mrs. Cam Smith for her dedication and invaluable editorial assistance and preparation of the final revision of all manuscripts.