Xeroradiography in assessment of the rheumatoid hand.

Comparable conventional x-rays had xeroradiographs were obtained of the hands of 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Each metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joint was scored for juxta-articular osteoporosis, erosions, loss of joint space, soft tissue thickening, joint deformity, and osteophytes on a 0-3 scale. For 10 hands the films were reported again after 3 months, and each technique was reproducible. Comparison between the 2 radiographic techniques showed that overall they gave similar results, although osteoporosis was reported more frequently on conventional x-rays, and loss of joint space and synovial thickening on xeroradiographs.