Atlas of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in the Spine in Spondyloarthritis: Definitions, Reliability, Training, and Conceptual Framework. A Report from the Canada (SPARCC) - Denmark International Spondyloarthritis Working Group

Abstract

Substantial advances in the diagnostic evaluation of spondyloarthritis (SpA) and the assessment of disease activity are due to introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Nevertheless, this still constitutes a relatively new imaging modality in the hands of rheumatologists, while most radiologists lack experience in assessment of MRI abnormalities specific to SpA. Perhaps more importantly, there has been little interface between the subspecialties to ensure the use of a common language to avoid misinterpretation and confusion. A standard theme throughout the imaging literature pertaining to rheumatic disease is the lack of standardized definitions to describe abnormalities, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the literature pertaining to MRI. This constitutes a serious impediment to studies of diagnostic utility, assessment of disease activity, and evaluation of prognosis. With regard to the assessment of disease activity, several scoring methods for the evaluation …