[Rheumatoid arthritis--new perspectives in its diagnosis].

The early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis has ever been a challenge. The need of an early accurate and sensitive diagnostic have grown even more in the last few years since new data showed that an aggressive and early therapy may influence the course of RA and even remission may be achieved. Traditional and new diagnostic tools like ultrasound and MRI are reviewed and analysed in the perspective of early recognition of disease.