Computed tomography in the diagnosis of early ankylosing spondylitis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) was compared with plain radiography and quantitative sacroiliac (SI) scintigraphy in 28 patients with early ankylosing spondylitis (AS) of ⩽10 years duration. Compared with conventional radiography, CT improved delineation of the SI joints and revealed more abnormalities and higher grades of sacroiliitis; this was significant in patients with early AS of ⩽3 years duration. Quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy showed higher SI joint:sacrum ratios of radioisotope uptake in patients with AS compared with controls. However, its diagnostic usefulness was limited by the frequency of inconsistent results and the lack of specificity. CT examination of the SI joints may be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of early AS.