Role of Imaging in Childhood Arthritis.

Imaging plays a pivotal role in the management of various childhood arthritis. Conventional radiography is the most commonly ordered imaging modality for the evaluation of arthritis. Owing to their higher sensitivity for detecting synovitis, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography are increasingly being used to guide clinical management of various forms of arthritis, especially juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging is a preferred modality for evaluating more complex sites such as the sacroiliac joint. In this review, we have discussed the rational use and the characteristic imaging features of common childhood arthritis.