Cutting edge technologies in the imaging of spondyloarthritis

Abstract

The classification, monitoring, and early detection of axial spondyloarthritis poses significant challenges for health-care professionals owing to the etiology of the disorder. As no unique gold standard is set to confirm diagnosis, current practice relies on imaging the sacroiliac joint, focusing on features of inflammatory changes, and structural changes. New innovations and developments have resulted in significant improvements in the imaging of spondyloarthritis and have provided further development in the understanding of the disease. These recent imaging advances and their relevant pitfalls are discussed in this review.

Keywords

• bone marrow edema
• computed tomography
• erosions
• lesions
• magnetic resonance imaging
• sacroiliac joints
• sacroiliitis