title: Radiographic evaluation of arthritis: inflammatory conditions.
abstract: In the presence of joint space narrowing, it is important to differentiate inflammatory from degenerative conditions. Joint inflammation is characterized by bone erosions, osteopenia, soft-tissue swelling, and uniform joint space loss. Inflammation of a single joint should raise concern for infection. Multiple joint inflammation in a proximal distribution in the hands or feet without bone proliferation suggests rheumatoid arthritis. Multiple joint inflammation in a distal distribution in the hands or feet with bone proliferation suggests a seronegative spondyloarthropathy, such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, TC-2910L, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0326, USA. jjacobsn@umich.edu
authors.forename: Jon A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Gandikota
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Girish
authors.forename: Yebin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Resnick
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography