The Diagnostic Value of Sacroiliac CT for Detecting Early Changes of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
10.3348/jkrs.2007.56.2.177
- Author:
Ju Hyun PARK
1
;
Ji Seon PARK
;
Wook JIN
;
Kyung Nam RYU
Author Information
1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, KyungHee University Medical Center, Korea. t2star@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Computed tomography (CT);
Joints;
Arthritis;
Spondylitis
- MeSH:
Arthritis;
Diagnosis;
Humans;
Incidence;
Joints;
Male;
Retrospective Studies;
Sclerosis;
Sensitivity and Specificity;
Spondylitis;
Spondylitis, Ankylosing*
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
2007;56(2):177-182
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the diagnostic value of the various findings on sacroiliac CT for detecting the early changes of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2005 and March 2006, 51 sacroiliac CT images with the clinical suspicion of AS, but no definite evidence of AS on the plain radiograph only, were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, 36 patients (mean age: 28.6 years; 34 males and 2 females), who were clinically diagnosed as AS (AS group, n=26) or they had no evidence of AS (non-AS group, n=10), were evaluated. Two musculoskeletal radiologists analyzed the presence of marginal irregularity, bony erosion and subchondral sclerosis. A statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the incidence, sensitivity and specificity of each finding. RESULTS: Marginal irregularity was seen in 21 of 26 AS subjects, and in 8 of 10 non-AS subjects. Bony erosion was only seen in 13 of 26 AS subjects. Subchondral sclerosis was observed in 19 of 26 AS subjects and in 8 of 10 non-AS subjects. The sensitivity/specificity for each findings were 72.4%/28.6%, 100%/43.5% and 70.4%/22.2%, respectively. Except for bony erosions, these results showed no statistical significance (p=.006). CONCLUSION: Bony erosion on CT is a very sensitive finding for the early changes of AS, whereas marginal irregularity or subchondral sclerosis is not so helpful in differentiating AS from non-AS. Attention to these results may further enhance the accurate diagnosis of the early changes in AS.
