RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Defining active sacroiliitis on MRI for classification of axial spondyloarthritis: update by the ASAS MRI working group
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 1958
OP 1963
DO 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208642
VO 75
IS 11
A1 Lambert, Robert G W
A1 Bakker, Pauline A C
A1 van der Heijde, Désirée
A1 Weber, Ulrich
A1 Rudwaleit, Martin
A1 Hermann, Kay-Geert A
A1 Sieper, Joachim
A1 Baraliakos, Xenofon
A1 Bennett, Alex
A1 Braun, Jürgen
A1 Burgos-Vargas, Rubén
A1 Dougados, Maxime
A1 Pedersen, Susanne Juhl
A1 Jurik, Anne Grethe
A1 Maksymowych, Walter P
A1 Marzo-Ortega, Helena
A1 Østergaard, Mikkel
A1 Poddubnyy, Denis
A1 Reijnierse, Monique
A1 van den Bosch, Filip
A1 van der Horst-Bruinsma, Irene
A1 Landewé, Robert
YR 2016
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/75/11/1958.abstract
AB Objectives To review and update the existing definition of a positive MRI for classification of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).Methods The Assessment in SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) MRI working group conducted a consensus exercise to review the definition of a positive MRI for inclusion in the ASAS classification criteria of axial SpA. Existing definitions and new data relevant to the MRI diagnosis and classification of sacroiliitis and spondylitis in axial SpA, published since the ASAS definition first appeared in print in 2009, were reviewed and discussed. The precise wording of the existing definition was examined in detail and the data and a draft proposal were presented to and voted on by the ASAS membership.Results The clear presence of bone marrow oedema on MRI in subchondral bone is still considered to be the defining observation that determines the presence of active sacroiliitis. Structural damage lesions seen on MRI may contribute to a decision by the observer that inflammatory lesions are genuinely due to SpA but are not required to meet the definition. The existing definition was clarified adding guidelines and images to assist in the application of the definition.Conclusion The definition of a positive MRI for classification of axial SpA should continue to primarily depend on the imaging features of ‘active sacroiliitis’ until more data are available regarding MRI features of structural damage in the sacroiliac joint and MRI features in the spine and their utility when used for classification purposes.