title: Irregularities at the base of the proximal phalanges: false indicator of early rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Fifty posteroanterior hand radiographs from normal adults were reviewed retrospectively to assess the incidence of cortical indistinctness at the base of the proximal phalanges in a normal population. This radiographic change, reported to be an early indicator of rheumatoid arthritis, was seen in at least one site in 10% of the films reviewed. Focal areas of cortical erosion or indistinctness at the bases of the proximal phalanges are not considered to be a reliable sign of early rheumatoid arthritis in the absence of juxtaarticular osteoporosis or changes in the metacarpal heads.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors