scholarly journals Imaging in ankylosing spondylitis

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikkel Østergaard ◽  
Robert G.W. Lambert

Imaging is an integral part of the management of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis. Characteristic radiographic and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are key in the diagnosis. Radiography and MRI are also useful in monitoring the disease. Radiography is the conventional, albeit quite insensitive, gold standard method for assessment of structural damage in spine and sacroiliac joints, whereas MRI has gained a decisive role in monitoring disease activity in clinical trials and practice. MRI may also, if ongoing research demonstrates a sufficient reliability and sensitivity to change, become a new standard method for assessment of structural damage. Ultrasonography allows visualization of peripheral arthritis and enthesitis, but has no role in the assessment of axial manifestations. Computed tomography is a sensitive method for assessment of structural changes in the spine and sacroiliac joints, but its clinical utility is limited due to its use of ionizing radiation and lack of ability to assess the soft tissues. It is exciting that with continued dedicated research and the rapid technical development it is likely that even larger improvements in the use of imaging may occur in the decade to come, for the benefit of our patients.

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Di Matteo ◽  
Gianluca Smerilli ◽  
Edoardo Cipolletta ◽  
Fausto Salaffi ◽  
Rossella De Angelis ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose of Review To highlight the potential uses and applications of imaging in the assessment of the most common and relevant musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent Findings Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are accurate and sensitive in the assessment of inflammation and structural damage at the joint and soft tissue structures in patients with SLE. The US is particularly helpful for the detection of joint and/or tendon inflammation in patients with arthralgia but without clinical synovitis, and for the early identification of bone erosions. MRI plays a key role in the early diagnosis of osteonecrosis and in the assessment of muscle involvement (i.e., myositis and myopathy). Conventional radiography (CR) remains the traditional gold standard for the evaluation of structural damage in patients with joint involvement, and for the study of bone pathology. The diagnostic value of CR is affected by the poor sensitivity in demonstrating early structural changes at joint and soft tissue level. Computed tomography allows a detailed evaluation of bone damage. However, the inability to distinguish different soft tissues and the need for ionizing radiation limit its use to selected clinical circumstances. Nuclear imaging techniques are valuable resources in patients with suspected bone infection (i.e., osteomyelitis), especially when MRI is contraindicated. Finally, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry represents the imaging mainstay for the assessment and monitoring of bone status in patients with or at-risk of osteoporosis. Summary Imaging provides relevant and valuable information in the assessment of MSK involvement in SLE.


Author(s):  
Stefan Siebert ◽  
Sengupta Raj ◽  
Alexander Tsoukas

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting mainly the sacroiliac joints and spine, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. AS has a major negative impact on patients’ quality of life. AS is part of a larger group of related spondyloarthritis (SpA) conditions and patients with AS often have extra-articular manifestations of these conditions. Over the past decade, there have been major advances in the understanding of the genetics and pathophysiology of the disease. Advances in imaging have allowed patients to be diagnosed without having to develop the radiographic structural damage that characterize AS, resulting in the concept of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Together with the development of highly effective TNF inhibitors, these advances have transformed the management and outlook of patients with this condition. It is hoped that further advances in diagnosis, assessment and treatment of axSpA will lead to further progress in future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1656.2-1657
Author(s):  
S. Rahmouni ◽  
M. Slouma ◽  
R. Dhahri ◽  
I. Gharsallah ◽  
N. Boussetta ◽  
...  

Background:Hip involvement is a common feature in spondyloarthritis (SpA). Whether the hip is part of the axial or appendicular skeletal is still a matter of discussion.Objectives:We aimed to assess the relationship between sacroiliitis, spinal and hip involvement in SpA.Methods:Patients with SpA diagnosed according to the assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study.The modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index-spine (BASRI-s) were used to assess the radiographic involvement of the spine.The sacroiliac joints were scored according to the modified New York criteria.Radiological hip involvement was scored using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index hip (BASRI-h).Patients were divided into two groups: G0 including patients without hip involvement and G1 patients with hip involvement.Results:We included 112 patients with a sex ratio of 2.4. The average SpA symptom duration was 9.33 ± 8.93 years. The diagnostic delay was 42.92 ± 52 months.Radiographic hip involvement was noted in 39.28% of cases. It was bilateral in 31 patients (70.4%). The total number of coxitis was 75. Severe and moderate hip involvement (BASRI-h ≥ 3) affected 21 hips. The most common radiographic pattern was early coxitis (n=31, 41.3%) followed by the destructive form (n=22, 29.3%, mimicking-osteoarthritis form (n=15, 20%), condensing form (n=5, 6.6%) and ankylosing form (n=2, 2%).Radiographic sacroiliitis was noted in 75.8% of patients. It was bilateral in 91.7% of cases. Among the 161 sacroiliac joints fulfilling the m-New-york criteria, 32.9% had grade 4 and 37.2% had grade 3.The mean mSASSS was 10.26 ± 15. The mean BASRI-t, BASRI-C, and BASRI-L were 3.99 ± 2.9, 0.89 ± 1.3, and 1.1 ± 1.3 respectively.Radiographic sacroiliitis was more common in patients with hip involvement (G1) (90.9% vs 68.2%, p=0.00). Patients in G1 had higher mSASSS (15.78 ± 18.24 vs 6.29 ± 11.85, p=0.01), BASRI-L (1.73±1.46 vs 0.75 ± 1.131, p=0.009), and BASRI-s (5.46 ± 3.02 vs 3.19 ± 2.46, p< 10-3) than patients in G2. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the BASRI-C.Multivariable analysis revealed that radiographic sacroiliitis was associated with hip involvement (OR=14.81, 95%, [1.1-198], p=0.042).When comparing patients with severe and moderate hip involvement (BASRI-h ≥ 3) and those with mild involvement, we didn’t find significant differences regarding BASRIs, BASR-L, BASRI-c, mSASSS, and sacroiliac involvement.Conclusion:As reported in previous studies [1], we concluded that structural axial lesions were higher in patients with coxitis. Structural damage to the sacroiliac joint in SpA was predictive of hip involvement.We suggest that sacroiliitis, spinal and hip involvement are part of the same spectrum.References:[1]Chen H-A, Chen C-H, Liao H-T, Lin Y-J, Chen P-C, Chen W-S, et al. Factors associated with radiographic spinal involvement and hip involvement in ankylosing spondylitis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2011;40 (6):552-8Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-221406
Author(s):  
Juergen Braun ◽  
Uta Kiltz ◽  
Xenofon Baraliakos

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that manifests primarily in the axial skeleton, initially mostly in the sacroiliac joints (SIJ), usually later spreading to the spine. The disease is characterised by inflammation and new bone formation which are mainly assessed by conventional radiography (CR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and interleukin-17 antagonists have been shown to be efficacious and efficient in patients with axSpA. This treatment seems to also inhibit structural damage, for example, retard radiographic progression. Indeed, a reduction of new bone formation in the spine, as assessed by CR, has been reported to occur after at least 2 years of therapy with TNFi. Recently, a reduction of erosions and ankylosis in the SIJ has also been observed in axSpA patients treated with etanercept and filgotinib. In this narrative review, we discuss the limited significance of such findings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivi Tornari ◽  
Thomas Basset ◽  
Michalis Andrianakis ◽  
Kyriaki Kosma

Relative humidity (RH) changes are a natural environmental effect that forces organic materials to a constant cycle of achieving equilibrium. The present work is part of an ongoing research based on the hypothesis that the inevitable deleterious effects of the RH natural cycle may be prevented or minimized if a deformation threshold is assigned to each monitored endangered object prior to exposure to structural damage. In this paper the characterization of the behavior of a softwood sample (1.0 cm thick) submitted to RH abrupt cycles has been performed, in terms of mass and rate of displacement of the surface. The exemplary study is based on the concept of recording the RH impact directly from the material surface, allowing us to identify diversity in reaction with time, which in turn could determine the onset of structural changes prior to irreversible damage. The RH impact is measured as surface deformation from interference fringes, using a custom-made real time holography system with interferometric precision termed digital holographic speckle-pattern interferometry (DHSPI). The main observations presented here are a hysteresis in the dynamic sorption isotherm and a greater rate of displacement during the drying. A long-term experiment was performed to identify signs of ageing of the sample. The evolution of the mass and the rate of displacement stayed similar, an offset with an interesting behavior was observed and highlights ageing of wood. In order to produce a future preventive model for distinct art objects it is necessary to determine a deformation threshold for each material. In this context the study was planned to continue with organic samples bearing variable density and thickness under longer-term RH cycles and monitoring until the samples show visible signs of irreversible damage.


Author(s):  
W. Kunath ◽  
E. Zeitler ◽  
M. Kessel

The features of digital recording of a continuous series (movie) of singleelectron TV frames are reported. The technique is used to investigate structural changes in negatively stained glutamine synthetase molecules (GS) during electron irradiation and, as an ultimate goal, to look for the molecules' “undamaged” structure, say, after a 1 e/Å2 dose.The TV frame of fig. la shows an image of 5 glutamine synthetase molecules exposed to 1/150 e/Å2. Every single electron is recorded as a unit signal in a 256 ×256 field. The extremely low exposure of a single TV frame as dictated by the single-electron recording device including the electron microscope requires accumulation of 150 TV frames into one frame (fig. lb) thus achieving a reasonable compromise between the conflicting aspects of exposure time per frame of 3 sec. vs. object drift of less than 1 Å, and exposure per frame of 1 e/Å2 vs. rate of structural damage.


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