[Diagnostic potentials of quantitative bone scintigraphy in spondylitis ankylopoietica: a comparison with x-ray...

In 576 patients quantitative scintigraphy of the sacroiliac joints and the spinal cord with 99mTc-Pyrophosphate was performed. 328 were patients with proven ankylosing spondylitis according to the New-York criteria. 120 were patients with a clinically and roentgenologically suspected ankylosing spondylitis and 128 persons formed a healthy control group. The count rate in small regions of interest (ROI) in the sacroiliac joints, the spinal cord and the os sacrum were compared on the basis of indexes. The scintigraphic data of patients with ankylosing spondylitis were compared with healthy control group and with the radiographic findings and radiologic staging of the disease: In a longitudinal follow-up study during 1 to 6 years these investigations were continued together with clinical and roentgenological checks. Quantitative bone scintigraphy provides characteristic indexes for ankylosing spondylitis, indicating the increased mineral metabolism of the sacroiliac joints and the spinal chord. Skeletal scintigraphy is recommended for early detection and monitoring of ankylosing spondylitis.