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01-01-2016 | Magnetic Resonance

Optimizing the MRI protocol of the sacroiliac joints in Spondyloarthritis: which para-axial sequence should be used?

Authors: Chiara Giraudo, Silvia Magnaldi, Michael Weber, Antonia Puchner, Hannes Platzgummer, Franz Kainberger, Claudia Schueller-Weidekamm

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Introduction

To assess the diagnostic value of para-axial T2w-TSE (paT2) and fat-suppressed proton density (paPD-FS) MRI sequences for the evaluation of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) of patients with axial Spondylarthritis (SpA).

Materials and methods

One hundred and six patients with clinical findings suggestive of SpA underwent an MR protocol of the SIJ with additional paPD-FS (41 patients) and paT2 (105 patients). Acute (bone marrow oedema [BME], enthesitis, capsulitis, synovitis) and chronic findings (erosions, ankylosis) were assessed by paPD-FS and compared with the gold standard post-contrast sequences, whereas chronic features (because of the lack of fat suppression) were evaluated on paT2 and compared with pcT1.

Results

paPD-FS demonstrated high sensitivity (98.9 %) and specificity (99.1 %) for BME; sensitivity and specificity for synovitis and enthesitis were 100 %; 85.7 % and 100 %, respectively, for capsulitis.

paPD-FS and paT2 showed 100 % sensitivity and specificity for ankylosis; for erosions, paT2 demonstrated 85.3 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity, whereas paPD-FS, respectively, 98 % and 100 %.

Discussion

PaT2 and paPD-FS provided precious information enabling an accurate interpretation of the heterogeneous findings of SpA. paPD-FS showed good results in detecting acute and chronic lesions and its inclusion in a routine MR examination of the SIJ could increase the diagnostic performance of a pre-contrast protocol.

Key Points

• Para-axial sequence should be included in a routine MRI protocol for SpA.

• Acute and chronic findings can be evaluated on para-axial PD-FS

• Para-axial PD-FS is superior to para-axial T2-W in SpA.

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Title: Optimizing the MRI protocol of the sacroiliac joints in Spondyloarthritis: which para-axial sequence should be used?
Authors: Chiara Giraudo
Silvia Magnaldi
Michael Weber
Antonia Puchner
Hannes Platzgummer
Franz Kainberger
Claudia Schueller-Weidekamm
Publication date: 01-01-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3790-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Optimizing the MRI protocol of the sacroiliac joints in Spondyloarthritis: which para-axial sequence should be used?

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Key Points

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