Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats Assessment by Serial Magnification Radiography

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Abstract
Serial whole body and lateral hindpaw magnification radiographs were obtained on 15 rats with collagen-induced arthritis. The radiographs were evaluated for findings of inflammatory arthritis. Soft tissue swelling and juxta-articular osteopenia usually developed 2 wk after immunization. The swelling remained stable for the remaining 7 wk of the study, but the osteopenia apparently improved. Three weeks after immunization, erosions and periostitis began to develop in 10 of the rats. These latter radiographic changes rapidly worsened over the next 3 wk and then stabilized. The most frequent and severe changes were seen in the intertarsal, tibiotalar and metatarsophalangeal joints. The toes, forepaws and knees were infrequently involved. Other peripheral joints and the axial skeleton were spared. Five rats developed soft tissue swelling but had no articular erosions or periostitis. Serial radiography has potential usefulness for monitoring the effects of treatment in this experimental model for inflammatory arthritis.