Diagnostic value of X-ray, CT and MRI for sacroiliac joint lesions in patients with early stage of ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of X-ray, CT or MRI in detection of abnormal sacroiliac joint changes in patients with early stage ankylosing spondylitis. Methods One hundred and twenty patients with early stage ankylosing spondylitis who admitted in our hospital underwent X-ray, CT and MRI subsequently were selected, and the diagnostic value was analyzed. Results There were no statistically significant differences in diagnostic accuracy of articular cartilage swelling, joint space narrowing, joint space widening, the articular surface of cystic mass, articular sclerosis by CT and MRI(all P>0.05), except for bone erosion and bone cyst lesion(χ2 =8.179, 6.289, all P 0.05). Conclusion X-ray associated with low accuracy rate and high rate of miss diagnosis.With the high accuracy rate in detection of abnormal sacroiliac joint changes in patients with early stage ankylosing spondylitis, both CT and MRI are candidate for commonly used diagnostic methods for early diagnosis. Key words: Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Sacroiliac joint; X-rays; Tomography, X-ray computed; Magnetic resonance imaging