MRI Changes in Sacroiliac Joints for Inflammatory Back Pain
Author Information
Author(s): Heuft-Dorenbosch Liesbeth, Weijers René, Landewé Robert, van der Linden Sjef, van der Heijde Désirée
Primary Institution: University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands
Hypothesis
To study the inter-reader reliability of detecting abnormalities of sacroiliac joints in patients with recent-onset inflammatory back pain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to study the prevalence of inflammation and structural changes at various sites of the SI joints.
Conclusion
MRI can reliably detect inflammation and structural changes in SI joints in patients with early inflammatory back pain.
Supporting Evidence
- Inflammation was present in 32 SI joints of 22 patients.
- Readers agreed on the presence of inflammation in 85% of cases in the right SI joint.
- About one-third of patients with recent-onset inflammatory back pain show inflammation.
Takeaway
Doctors used MRI to look at the lower back of people with new back pain and found that about one-third had signs of inflammation, which can help in diagnosing their condition.
Methodology
MRI scans of the SI joints were performed and scored for inflammation and structural changes by two independent observers.
Limitations
The low prevalence of structural changes made it difficult to assess the reliability of scoring these changes.
Participant Demographics
38% male; mean age 34.9 years; 46% HLA-B27-positive.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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