Radiologic classification of joint destruction in juvenile chronic arthritis.

A radiologic classification of the destruction of the large joints in juvenile chronic arthritis is described. Its principles are the same as previously published by the authors for evaluation of the knee joint. Osteoporosis, enlargement or other growth disturbance of the bone ends, cyst formation, erosions or deformation of the subchondral joint surface is expressed in terms of a score. In a retrospective study of 74 examinations of the large joints in 30 patients aged 6-18 years, the suggested classification was used. The radiologic score obtained had a good correlation to the clinical findings.