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Published in: Skeletal Radiology 2/2019

01-02-2019 | Scientific Article

MRI findings for unilateral sternoclavicular arthritis: differentiation between infectious arthritis and spondyloarthritis

Authors: Byeong Seong Kang, Hyun Seok Shim, Woon Jung Kwon, Soyeoun Lim, Gyeong Min Park, Tae Young Lee, Minseo Bang

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 2/2019

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Abstract

Objectives

To analyze and identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings for the differentiation between infectious arthritis and spondyloarthritis in patients with unilateral sternoclavicular arthritis.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively collected and evaluated the magnetic resonance (MR) images of 21 patients diagnosed with unilateral sternoclavicular arthritis, including 12 with infection and nine with spondyloarthritis, between 2004 and 2017. Capsular distension, extracapsular fluid collection, periarticular muscle edema, the prevalence and distribution of bone marrow edema, and the prevalence and size of bone erosions were assessed on the MR images. Clinical data were also reviewed.

Results

Capsular distension was more prominent in patients with infectious arthritis than those with spondyloarthritis (p = 0.002); extracapsular fluid collection and periarticular muscle edema were also more common in infectious arthritis than spondyloarthritis (p < 0.001, respectively); moreover, bone erosions were larger in infectious arthritis than spondyloarthritis (p = 0.023). Other findings significantly associated with infectious arthritis included advanced age (p = 0.007), an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level (p = 0.001), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p < 0.001). The prevalence and distribution of bone marrow edema and the prevalence of bone erosions on MRI, the white blood cell count, and sex showed no significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions

Capsular distension, extracapsular fluid collection, periarticular muscle edema, and the size of bone erosions on MRI, as well as the age, CRP level, and ESR of patients, could be helpful for differentiating infectious arthritis from spondyloarthritis involving the sternoclavicular joint.
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Metadata
Title
MRI findings for unilateral sternoclavicular arthritis: differentiation between infectious arthritis and spondyloarthritis
Authors
Byeong Seong Kang
Hyun Seok Shim
Woon Jung Kwon
Soyeoun Lim
Gyeong Min Park
Tae Young Lee
Minseo Bang
Publication date
01-02-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-018-3023-4

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