J Korean Soc Radiol.  2009 Mar;60(3):181-187. 10.3348/jksr.2009.60.3.181.

Sacroiliitis in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Comparison with Multidetector Row CT and Plain Radiography

• Yu JY
• Joo KB
• Choi BK
• Ryu JA
• Kim TH
• Choi WJ

• KMID: 2097878
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2009.60.3.181

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to compare multidetector row CT and the plain radiographs for making the diagnosis and grading the sacroiliitis that accompanies ankylosing spondylitis. We wanted to determine the role of multidetector row CT for the evaluation of the sacroilitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred ninety two patients with clinically suspected ankylosing spondylitis were evaluated by conventional radiography and multidetector row CT. Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively analyzed the images, and they graded the sacroiliitis using the modified New York Criteria.
RESULTS
Multidetector row CT demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity (74.5%, 83.3%) than did plain radiography (59.9%, 66.7%) for detecting early sacroiliitis (p<0.05). Multidetector row CT showed a higher grade of sacroiliitis in 114 and 127 of 384 sacroiliac joints.
CONCLUSION
Performing multidetector row CT rather than plain radiography for making the diagnoses of accompanying ankylosing spondylitis allows an early start of treatment with a subsequently improved prognosis.

MeSH Terms

Humans
New York
Retrospective Studies
Sacroiliitis
Spondylitis, Ankylosing
Tomography, X-Ray Computed