Imaging in Rheumatic Diseases of the Head and Neck.

Multimodality imaging is essential for evaluating head and neck rheumatologic disease. Computed tomography (CT) can demonstrate osseous erosions, mineralization, and structural complications, including temporomandibular joint and cervical spine involvement in JIA/RA, crowned dens in pseudogout, and sinonasal or airway disease in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and relapsing polychondritis (RP). Ultrasound is useful for detecting synovitis in JIA/RA, auricular chondritis in RP, salivary gland abnormalities in Sjögren's syndrome, and vascular changes in GCA. FDG-PET/CT can identify metabolically active inflammation. MRI is useful for evaluating early inflammatory changes, cartilage involvement, orbital disease, vascular wall inflammation, and salivary gland involvement.