[The carpus-metacarpus-index distance: a measurement for quantifying radiological lesions in rheumatoid polyarthritis. Comparison with Larsen's scores and Steinbrocker's index].

The carpus-to-digits distance measured on a posteroanterior roentgenogram of the hands and wrists takes into account 18 different joints. This study demonstrates that the carpus-to-digit distance is a simple, reproducible score which reliably reflects progression of roentgenological rheumatoid arthritis lesions and is correlated with Larsen's lesion score and with Steinbrocker's index, but not with Larsen's erosion score during the first two years after onset of the disease. Larsen's erosion score and similar parameters should be preferred for clinical studies of recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis.

[MRI of the knee. Value of delayed sequences after intravenous injection of gadolinium].

A prospective study of delayed sequences after intravenous injection of gadolinium for knee MRI shows the similar results as from the literature: enhancement of synovial fluid after 30 minutes. Sixteen patients were studied mainly with gradient echo. This phenomenon improves the visualisation of the intraarticular structures like meniscus, cruciate ligaments, or cartilage.

[Chemolysis of intravertebral disk hernia and spinal syndrome].

The authors report a 31 year old patient who underwent L5-S1 chemonucleolysis. The prenucleolysis discogram disclosed intravertebral discal displacement. Severe spinal symptoms and development of geodes in the endplates adjacent to the treated disk occurred after the procedure.

[Radiologic anatomy of the wrist].

Wrist imaging still relies first on plain X-Ray films, MRI allows excellent appreciation of the sculture of bones, ligaments, tendons and even nerves. C.T.