Soft tissue radiography of the hands in the rheumatoid arthritis

25 cases of rheumatoid arthritis were investigated radiologically and clinically over a period of 3 months, using soft tissue radiograms of the hands and Lansbury's Activity Index. The soft tissue radiography technique was a new combination using molybdenum target mammographic equipment and immersion of the hands in a 2.5 cm layer of 1:1 ethanol-water solution, in order to reduce the uneven darkening of films. Periarticular oedema and progression of erosive and soft tissue changes were observed in clinically active cases. High scores for joint swelling and erosions were also registered in some clinically inactive cases. Determination of the rapid progression of erosive and soft tissue changes and the determination of periarticular hyperaemic oedema using special radiographic methods appear to be of some value in assessing the activity of rheumatoid arthritis.