A detailed examination of the hands and feet was performed in a group of 34 patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), using low-dose mammographic film and Rank Xerox selenium plate, according to current diagnostic techniques. All patients presented articular symptoms (pain and arthralgia). The high incidence (38,8%) of patients with no radiographic evidence of bone damage-even though articular symptoms are present-is emphasized. In such cases, it is very difficult to distinguish SLE from rheumatoid arthritis, especially as far as therapeutic management and prognosis are concerned. The lack of any "pathognomonic" radiological sign of the lupus arthritis, in the hands as well as in the feet, is then stressed. Nevertheless, arthropathy in SLE is defined as a deforming non-erosive arthritis, with a typical symmetric distribution, affecting most commonly-according to incidence-the proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints. In the hand, arthropathy is referred to as Jaccoud's type arthritis, because it is characterized by joint deformities which can be corrected. In the foot, the main abnormalities include hallux valgus, subluxation of the metatarsophalangeal joints and widening of the forefoot.