x-ray report

[Guest guest]

I got my x-ray report. It says, " There is some periarticular osteopenia that

could be the earliest radiographic signs of rheumatoid arthritis. Tiny

erosion at the tip of the radial styloid on the left is possible. No other

erosive changes are noted to confirm the diagnosis of arthritis. " It also

says " Suspect subtle lytic expansile lesion involving the proximal phalanx

of the middle finger on the right. Findings most likely represent

enchondroma. " Looked that up, and I didn't like it very much.

So, how do I interpret the report. I'm going to ignore the last part until

I fully understand what that is. My blood work was normal again, with the

sed rate of 1. normal is 0-20. In November it was 2. Does the x-ray

report bring it closer to a definite diagnosis of RA? How significant is

the sed rate?

Debbie Mc

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

Yes, periarticular osteopenia is characteristic of, but not specific to,

rheumatoid arthritis. It is a very important clue.

http://www.fpnotebook.com/RHE105.htm (check the radiology section)

A nice explanation of osteopenia and its causes:

http://www.rad.washington.edu/mskbook/osteopenia.html

I wouldn't worry about the enchondroma yet either, especially since the

radiologist didn't seem to be sure that's what it is. A solitary

enchondroma found in the hand most often remains a benign condition

anyway. A would ask your rheumatologist what he/she thinks about this

finding though. If it is an enchondroma, I wonder if you would be at

risk for fracture there?

" Enchondroma and Enchondromatosis " from eMedicine.com:

http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic247.htm

" Solitary Enchondroma " from Octet.com:

http://www.octet.com/~mikety/Answers/enchon.html

" Enchondroma " from The DoctorsDoctor.com:

http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/diseases/enchondroma.htm

What your sed rate is is not terribly important. Are you on any meds

that would be keeping the inflammation low? Have any of your labs ever

been abnormal (I can't remember - sorry)?

[ ] x-ray report

> I got my x-ray report. It says, " There is some periarticular

osteopenia that

> could be the earliest radiographic signs of rheumatoid arthritis.

Tiny

> erosion at the tip of the radial styloid on the left is possible. No

other

> erosive changes are noted to confirm the diagnosis of arthritis. " It

also

> says " Suspect subtle lytic expansile lesion involving the proximal

phalanx

> of the middle finger on the right. Findings most likely represent

> enchondroma. " Looked that up, and I didn't like it very much.

>

> So, how do I interpret the report. I'm going to ignore the last part

until

> I fully understand what that is. My blood work was normal again, with

the

> sed rate of 1. normal is 0-20. In November it was 2. Does the

x-ray

> report bring it closer to a definite diagnosis of RA? How

significant is

> the sed rate?

>

> Debbie Mc