Imaging evaluation of rheumatologic musculoskeletal disorders in children.

Imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis and management of pediatric inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders. Currently, various imaging modalities are utilized in a stepwise approach, each providing complementary information. This article explores the advantages and limitations of currently available imaging techniques, including plain radiography, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in the assessment of pediatric inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, characteristic imaging features of major pediatric inflammatory conditions are reviewed, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis, Caffey disease, and juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.