scholarly journals Analysing chronic spinal changes in ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic comparison of conventional x rays with magnetic resonance imaging using established and new scoring systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 1046-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Braun
2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1891-1896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenofon Baraliakos ◽  
Joachim Listing ◽  
Hildrun Haibel ◽  
Joachim Sieper ◽  
Jurgen Braun

Objective.Spinal inflammation and erosions have been described in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MRI scoring systems have implemented these observations.Methods.MRI scans (T1 or short-tau inversion recovery) from tumor necrosis factor-α blocker (anti-TNF) trials with patients with active AS (n = 22) were analyzed at baseline and after 2 years based on vertebral units (VU). The analysis was based on the prevalence of spinal erosions in relation to inflammation (active erosions) or without it (inactive erosions) as an outcome measure on MRI and their course under anti-TNF therapy. The results of MRI scoring systems that include (ASspiMRI) or exclude (Berlin score) erosions were also compared.Results.At baseline, there were more VU with inflammation (33.7%) than with erosions irrespective of activity (10.6%). After 2 years, active erosions decreased to 3.7% while inflammation was seen in a total of 12% of VU — a reduction of 58.9% and 64.5%, respectively (both p < 0.02). The overall extent of erosions decreased from 10.6% at baseline to 5.6% at 2 years. At the patient level, 73% and 32% of patients showed active erosions (p = 0.002), while 100% and 64% of patients showed inflammation (p = 0.029) at baseline and 2 years, respectively. Both scoring systems showed similar improvement, independent of inclusion or exclusion of erosions.Conclusion.Inflammation with erosions was observed in the spine of most patients with AS but their contribution to changes observed upon anti-TNF therapy was small, indicating that erosions do not need to be included in quantitative scoring systems of inflammation. Spinal inflammation was still present after 2 years of anti-TNF therapy in two-thirds of patients.


Reumatismo ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lorenzin ◽  
A. Ortolan ◽  
P. Frallonardo ◽  
S. Vio ◽  
C. Lacognata ◽  
...  

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of spine and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and their correlation with disease activity indices. Sixty patients with low back pain (LBP) (≥3 months, ≤2 years, onset ≤45 years), attending the SpA-clinic of the Unità Operativa Complessa Reumatologia of Padova [SpondyloArthritis-Caught-Early (SPACE) study], were studied following a protocol including physical examination, questionnaires, laboratory tests, X-rays and spine and SIJ MRI. Positive spine and SIJ MRI and X-rays images were scored independently by 2 readers using the SPARCC method, modified Stoke ankylosing spondylitis spine score and New York criteria. The axial pain and localization of MRI-lesions were referred to 4 sites: cervical/thoracic/lumbar spine and SIJ. All patients were classified into three groups: patients with signs of radiographic sacroiliitis (r-axSpA), patients without signs of r-axSpA but with signs of sacroiliitis on MRI (nr-axSpA MRI SIJ+), patients without signs of sacroiliitis on MRI and X-rays (nr-axSpA MRI SIJ-). The median age at LBP onset was 29.05±8.38 years; 51.6% of patients showed bone marrow edema (BME) in spine-MRI and 56.7% of patients in SIJ-MRI. Signs of enthesitis were found in 55% of patients in the thoracic district. Of the 55% of patients with BME on spine-MRI, 15% presented presented a negative SIJMRI. There was a significant difference between these cohorts with regard to the prevalence of radiographic sacroiliitis, active sacroiliitis on MRI and SPARCC SIJ score. The site of pain correlated statistically with BME lesions in thoracic and buttock districts. Since positive spine-MRI images were observed in absence of sacroiliitis, we can hypothesize that this finding could have a diagnostic significance in axSpA suspected axSpA.


Cartilage ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 194760352094294
Author(s):  
Oliver D. Jungesblut ◽  
Menard Moritz ◽  
Alexander S. Spiro ◽  
Ralf Stuecker ◽  
Martin Rupprecht

Objective Fixation of unstable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions and displaced osteochondral fragments are frequently performed procedures in pediatric orthopedic surgery. Since 2018, CE-certified MAGNEZIX pins are used in our institution in these cases. The aim of this study was (1) to analyze safety, efficiency, and limitations of magnesium-pin-based fixation of unstable OCD lesions and displaced osteochondral fragments and (2) to report clinical and radiological outcomes at short-term follow-up (FU). Design In this prospective cohort study, 19 patients (10 girls and 9 boys) were included. Inclusion criteria were (1) magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed unstable OCD lesion or displaced osteochondral fragment, (2) fixation with magnesium-based pins, and (3) minimum FU of 6 months. X-rays were taken 6 weeks and 6 months after operation and magnetic resonance imaging scans every 4 to 6 months to assess the healing progress. Results In total 67 pins were used, with a mean of 3.6 ± 1.4 per patient. Average age at surgery was 13.7 years (11-17 years). Mean time of operation was 56 ± 31 minutes, including arthroscopy, fixation, and patellar realignment ( n = 6). No intraoperative complications occurred. Average FU was 11.3 ± 4.2 months (6-20 months). No redislocation or new dislocation occurred. Until now a complete radiographic healing occurred in 12 cases. Due to an implant failure in one case 11 weeks after the index surgery a revision became necessary. Conclusions In short-term FU of 11 ± 4 months MAGNEZIX pins provide high stability after fixation of unstable OCDs and displaced osteochondral fragments leading to uncomplicated and timely healing.


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