In clinically suspected ankylosing spondylitis of sacroiliac (SIJ) and hip joints with normal finding or minimal secondary bony change in simple X-ray films, we evaluated the role of MRI in sacroiliac and hip joints.
Authors evaluated 11 cases (36 joints: SIJ 14, hip 22) confirmed as ankylosing spondylitis by clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings, and compared the detectability of involvement of joints by simple X-ray film and MRI. Authors analysed MR
findings about pannus and its signal intensities(SI), change of articular cartilage, bony erosion and sclerosis, subchodral bone cysts, osteophytosis, bone marrow edema, joint effusion, adjacent soft tissue change, and contrast enhancement of
pannus.
MRI detected not only 20 joints (SIJ 11, hip 9) detected in simple X-ray, but also additional 7 joints (SIJ 3, hip 4). MRI depited simultaneous involvement of SIJ and hip joints in 5 of 11 cases(SIJ 10 joints, hip 9 joints), and bilateral
involvement of
SIJ and hip joints in 4 among 5 cases. MRI also demonstrated pannus, which were not detected in conventional films and seen as intermediate SI on T1WI and high SI on T2WI, in all 27 joints(SIJ 14, Hip 13), Gd-DTPA enhanced T1WI revealed
enhancement
of
pannus in 7 cases(17 Joints).
MRI was valuable modality in evaluation of clinically suspected ankylosing spondylitis of SIJ or hip joints with normal findings or minimal secondary bony change in simple X-ray. And authors suggest simultaneous evaluation of SIJ and hip joints
is
necessary clinically suspected ankylosing spondylitis or other joint disecses.
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