Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2014; 18(03): 265-279
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1375569
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Imaging and Interpretation of Axial Spondylarthritis: The Radiologist's Perspective—Consensus of the Arthritis Subcommittee of the ESSR

Claudia Schueller-Weidekamm
1   Division of Neuroradiology and Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Biomedical Imaging und Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna/Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Vasco V. Mascarenhas
2   Hospital da Luz, ESS, Lisbon, Portugal
,
Iwona Sudol-Szopinska
3   Department of Radiology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw and Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
,
Nathalie Boutry
4   Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille and Hôpital Roger Salengro, Lille, France
,
Athena Plagou
5   Radiologist, Private Institute, Athens, Greece
,
Andrea Klauser
6   Department of Radiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Section Rheumatology and Sports Imaging, Innsbruck, Austria
,
Marius Wick
7   Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
,
Hannes Platzgummer
1   Division of Neuroradiology and Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Biomedical Imaging und Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna/Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Lennart Jans
8   Department of Radiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Beligium
,
Adam Mester
9   Department of Radiology, National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary
,
Franz Kainberger
1   Division of Neuroradiology and Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Biomedical Imaging und Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna/Vienna General Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Gunnar Aström
10   Department of Radiology, Oncology and Radiation Sciences, Section of Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
,
Giuseppe Guglielmi
11   Department of Radiology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
,
Iris Eshed
12   Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medical, Tel Aviv, Israel
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 June 2014 (online)

Abstract

This article reflects the radiologist's perspective on the imaging and interpretation of axial spondylarthritis (SpA). The arthritis subcommittee of the European Society of Skeletal Radiology provides a consensus for the following questions: When and how should we image? How should we analyze the images? How should we interpret the imaging findings? To answer these questions, we address the indications in imaging axial SpA and the different imaging techniques, with a special focus on magnetic resonance imaging protocols. The value of different imaging modalities is discussed. For adequate image analysis, knowledge of the anatomy and the pathologic changes in chronic and acute inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and the spine is mandatory. Differential diagnoses of inflammatory lesions of the sacroiliac joints and the spine are addressed due to their importance in image interpretation.

 
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