title: [Expectations of rheumatologists on imaging results].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clinical examination and laboratory results are often insufficient to support therapeutic decisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnosis and organ-related imaging may provide important additional information for initial diagnosis (differential diagnoses), follow-up and prognosis. Especially functional imaging techniques, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are becoming more and more important for early diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Imaging is already recognized in the classification criteria of several rheumatic diseases and new criteria for spondyloarthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica aim more and more at early diagnosis using functional imaging techniques, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specific imaging findings are helpful for eliminating differential diagnoses. During follow-up disease control the status as well as progression of structural damage can be documented. In selected diseases imaging allows prognostic statements on both disease progression and therapeutic response to specific medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evidential value of imaging results varies with the rheumatological expectations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall rheumatological expectations on imaging differ widely and therefore support a differentiated use of imaging techniques.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin, Univ.-Klinikum Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020, Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dejaco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duftner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schirmer
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000639:trends*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*