Imaging juvenile idiopathic arthritis: assessing the modalities

Abstract

Background: Traditionally, conventional radiography has been used to identify the structural damage associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). As other modalities have developed, however, the practice of assessing and monitoring JIA with radiographs has been questioned.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the current best practices for imaging JIA and to assess various imaging modalities.

Method: A literature review was conducted to examine to what extent radiography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) aid in diagnosing and managing JIA, and the benefits and limitations of each modality.

Conclusion: No single modality meets every imaging need at this time, but methods for detecting JIA are dramatically improving. Diagnostic radiography, MR imaging, ultrasonography and CT all play an important role in diagnosing or monitoring JIA.