Long-term follow-up imaging study comparing clinical examination, ultrasound and radiography in rheumatoid arthritis finger joints

Abstract

Problemstellung: To compare clinical examination (CE), conventional radiography (CR) and ultrasound (US) in the detection of bone erosions and synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) finger joints in a long-term follow up study. In addition, to determine whether radiographically occult finger joint erosions – previously detected by US – would present on conventional radiographs seven years later.