COMPARISON OF IMAGING TECHNIQUES IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF SACROILIITIS*
Remzi Çevik1, Kemal Nas1, Ali Gür1, Mustafa Özateş2, Safinaz Ataoğlu3 , Ferda Erdoğan1, A. Jale Saraç1, Ömer Satıcı4
1Dicle Univesitesi Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı
2Dicle Üniversftesi Tıp Fakültesi Radyoloji Anabilim Dalı
3İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı
4Dicle Üniversitesi Tıp Fakületsi Biyoistatistik Anabilim Dalı
Keywords: Sacroiliitis, computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging
Abstract
Sacroiliitis is usually the first and main feature of seronegative spondyloarthropathies. But the sacroiliac joints present a problem to the diagnostician because of their deep seated location and lack of motion. This forces us to rely heavily on imaging modalities to diagnose diseases of this joint. Therefore, many imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT); single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) bone scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been studied. In our study MRI was performed in 48 patients with clinical evidence of sacroiliitis. MRI findings were compared with those at CT and SPECT. Of these patients 35 had abnormal CT seans (73%), 36 had abnormal SPECT seans (75%), and 44 had abnormal MRI scans(91,6%). We concluded that MR imaging provide the best objective and complementary evidence of sacroiliitis in patients with clinical features of inflammatory spinal disease.