Computed tomography of rheumatologic disorders. Part I.

The advent of computed tomographic (CT) scanning has initiated a revolutionary approach to the evaluation of articular disease. CT affords the opportunity to noninvasively evaluate both osseous and soft tissue structures during a single diagnostic examination. An optimal CT study demands proper technique, including a localization image, appropriate slice thickness and spacing, and window/level manipulation. The examination must be tailored to the specific indication for the study, which may include degenerative processes, inflammatory disease, or unexplained clinical symptomatology.