[Diagnostic imaging of systemic rheumatic diseases].

In patients with systemic rheumatic diseases, imaging often plays an important role in diagnosis. Erosions of cartilage and bone are among the cardinal features of RA. Plain radiography is used most often to assess for the presence of joint damage, however, other imaging techniques such as contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography are valuable to detect early inflammatory change of joint. In addition, chest CT is essential to detect pulmonary involvement which sometimes can be a main prognostic factor. Finally, arteriograms are helpful in identifying and characterizing a vasculitis of large and medium-sized arteries, in whom an obvious area for biopsy is absent. The present article reviews these imaging techniques.