Spondyloarthropathies
Abstract #199: The Role of MRI Imaging in the Diagnosis of Early Inflammatory Back Pain
Authors: Keen, et. al.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to see if MRI imaging aids in the early diagnosis of inflammatory back pain.
Methods: Patients with inflammatory back pain by Calan criteria who had symptoms between three months and 3 years and who were B-27 positive then underwent MRI imaging of sacroiliac (SI) joints with T1-weighted image and STIR technique.
Results: 47 patients were recruited (32 male, 15 female) who had inflammatory back symptoms for an average of 15.6 months. MRI edema was present in the SI joints of 38 of these patients (81%) with the presumption that these patients had spondyloarthritis. These patients lacked plain radiographic abnormalities of the SI joints.
Comment: This study, albeit in a small sample size, shows a higher rate of MRI abnormality in patients with inflammatory back pain, normal SI films, and positive B-27 than previously demonstrated. With a tremendous need existing to decrease the delay in diagnosis in patients with inflammatory back disease, these results support the diagnostic utility of early MRI evaluation. Follow-up studies of this small cohort will need to be performed to determine the clinical outcomes of these patients, both with positive MRI findings and those with negative MRI findings.