In the differential diagnostic process for rheumatic inflammatory and/or connective tissue diseases (CTDs), history taking and physical examination are of main importance, more than additional investigations, as many diagnoses are…
Abstract In this article I will consider the basic principles of requesting, acquiring, interpreting and reporting plain radiographs of joints, including assessment of the distribution of joint abnormalities, and specific…
Abstract The essence of capillaroscopy is to examine, noninvasively and safely the morphology of nailfold dermal papillary capillaries using a magnification system (microscopical lenses). Capillaroscopy may be performed with lenses…
Abstract Although most of the rheumatologic diseases can be diagnosed based on clinical examination combined with additional laboratory and radiographic tests, histological examination of synovial tissue may lead to the…
This chapter discusses how doctors in key European countries develop and maintain professional standards of clinical knowledge in their specialism, rheumatology, with particular reference to how they are assessed in…
Abstract Inflammation of periarticular soft-tissue structures such as tendons, tendon sheaths, entheses, bursae, ligaments and fasciae is the hallmark of many inflammatory rheumatic diseases, but inflammation or rather irritation of…
Abstract Joint aspiration/injection and synovial fluid (SF) analysis are both invaluable procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of joint disease. This chapter addresses (1) the indications, technical principles, expected benefits…
Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an auto-immune disease, primarily affecting young females. Pregnancy in a woman with SLE remains a high-risk situation with higher maternal and foetal mortality and…
Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with several forms of pulmonary hypertension. It can cause pulmonary hypertension through pulmonary thromboembolic disease, left heart disease and lung disease as well as…
Abstract Among the 12 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related central nervous system (CNS) syndromes defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), demyelinating syndrome and myelopathy are two of the less…
