Performance of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis: a systematic literature review.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To summarize the evidence on the performance of MRI for the diagnosis of axial SpA.

Methods

This was a systematic literature review of all studies from January 2013 to March 2017 including adult patients with clinically suspected axial SpA undergoing MRI. Studies from a previously published systematic literature review up to January 2013 were also included.

Results

Thirty-one studies were included. Six studies demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for SI joint (SIJ) bone marrow oedema (BMO). Specificity was increased by the presence of other structural lesions alongside BMO, particularly erosions or fat infiltration. Four studies addressed the utility of SIJ fat infiltration, finding good sensitivity but poor specificity. SIJ erosions showed good sp

SUBMITTER: Jones A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6812711 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature