[Prospects and utilization of xeroradiography in the osteoarticular diagnosis and study of soft parts].

Xeroradiography and its physical phenomena are briefly described and attention is drawn to its offer of marked contrast and hence greater perception of details than conventional radiography. A comparison is made between ordinary and xero pictures of the spine, mediastinum and lungs with regard to the definition and identification of individual parts. The literature dealing with results obtained in areas where xeroradiography is best employed (joints and accompanying soft parts) is reviewed and personal experience in this field, based on a nosographic criterion and specific diagnostic choice, is presented. Cases illustrated cover ligamentous microcalcifications, knee meniscus calcifications, shoulder periarticular calcifications, and partial fractures. A comparison is made between conventional and xero pictures of joint changes in rheumatoid and uraemic arthritis, and bone changes in osteomyelitis and specific forms of arthritis. Diagnosis in osteo-necrosis and prosthesis complications is also examined. The results are such as to encourage further use of the method in the gathering of a fuller series of selected cases.