Soft tissue radiography for evaluating clinical activity of rheumatoid arthritis.

The value of soft tissue radiography in assessing the activity of rheumatoid arthritis was investigated in 67 patients and correlated to the clinical activity of the disease. Soft tissue radiography using a technique for mammary radiography was combined with immersion. Radiologically demonstrated periarticular oedema was most closely correlated to clinical activity. A close correlation also existed between soft tissue radiographic lesions and 99Tcm accumulation in hands.