Immersion technique in soft tissue radiography of the hands

Soft tissue radiography of hands using the technique of mammary radiography and immersion in a 2.5 cm layer of 1:1 water-ethanol solution is evaluated. Using immersion the average background density decreases with a factor of about 2.5:1, with little deterioration in resolution (MTF). The immersion procedure makes the demonstration and evaluation of soft tissue swelling and periarticular oedema easier.