Tomography for evaluation of sacroiliitis

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Orthopedics
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Equivocal findings in sacroiliac joint imaging necessitate advanced diagnostic methods.
• Routine pelvis radiographs and scintigraphy can yield inconclusive results for sacroiliitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of sacroiliac joint tomography in cases with unclear or contradictory imaging findings.
• To determine if tomography can improve the detection or exclusion of sacroiliitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of radiographs and charts from 18 patients.
• Comparison of tomography findings with routine pelvis radiographs, scintigraphy, and clinical assessments.

Main Results:

• Tomography detected joint erosions or sclerosis in 6 of 8 patients with confirmed sacroiliitis, missed by standard radiographs.
• Tomography excluded sacroiliitis in 10 patients initially suspected by plain radiographs, scintigraphy, or clinical data.
• Average skin radiation exposure was 1.27 R per tomographic section.

Conclusions:

• Sacroiliac joint tomography enhances the delineation of abnormalities.
• Its application should be reserved for complex or problem cases due to substantial radiation exposure.