[Recent progress in image analysis of rheumatoid arthritis]

The establishment of better methods than the conventional radiological examination in the management of rheumatoid arthritis is one of the key issues to be achieved in near future. The conventional X-ray examinations are not so sensitive or specific to early pathologies of inflammation and subtle changes. However, from the economical and clinical point of view, still plane X-ray images have several advantage. Several grading system including Steinbrocker, Larsen grade and Sharp score had been developed. Magnetic resonance image offers improved sensitivity to early inflammation of synovial tissue and bone destructive changes in the joints in RA patients. There are clear evidence for MRI synovitis representing true synovial inflammation. The clinician who intends to manage the inflammatory joint diseases should have the knowledge of these evaluation systems.