On radiographs, which finding is more typical of inflammatory arthritis than osteoarthritis?

On radiographs, which finding is more typical of inflammatory arthritis than osteoarthritis?

• A. Osteophyte formation.
• B. Joint erosions.
• C. Subchondral sclerosis.
• D. Uniform joint-space narrowing with soft tissue swelling.

Answer: (B)

Radiographs reveal how inflammatory arthritis damages a joint. The hallmark is bone erosion at the joint margins from inflammatory pannus eroding cartilage and bone, often accompanied by soft tissue swelling from synovitis. This pattern contrasts with osteoarthritis, where damage tends to be more degenerative and features osteophyte formation and subchondral sclerosis with joint-space narrowing that is usually nonuniform and focal. Thus, the presence of bone erosions is the finding most characteristic of inflammatory arthritis on radiographs.

Radiographs reveal how inflammatory arthritis damages a joint. The hallmark is bone erosion at the joint margins from inflammatory pannus eroding cartilage and bone, often accompanied by soft tissue swelling from synovitis. This pattern contrasts with osteoarthritis, where damage tends to be more degenerative and features osteophyte formation and subchondral sclerosis with joint-space narrowing that is usually nonuniform and focal. Thus, the presence of bone erosions is the finding most characteristic of inflammatory arthritis on radiographs.