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Advances and Challenges in Spondyloarthritis Imaging for Diagnosis and Assessment of Disease

  • SERONEGATIVE ARTHRITIS (MA KHAN, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

In recent years there has been an increased focus on use of imaging for diagnosis and assessment of spondyloarthritis (SpA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has attracted particular interest for its potential to improve diagnostic certainty for early, non-radiographic disease and to assist clinical decision-making. This report summarizes recent developments toward definition of positive sacroiliac joint and spine MRIs for SpA, with erosion as the major determinant for disease classification. The report also highlights recent SpA imaging work relevant to daily practice, focusing on limitations and challenges of SpA imaging and, in particular, on unsolved practical difficulties of using MRI in SpA. Recent data suggest that SpA imaging in daily practice may not be confined to identification and assessment of disease; it may also become essential for monitoring, clinical decision making, and selecting the most appropriate treatment for patients with SpA. Improved use of imaging may have much potential to enable better management of SpA.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Acknowledgment

Walter P. Maksymowych is Scientist of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

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Conflict of Interest

Ulrich Weber received payment for contribution to the imaging section of a comprehensive educational slide kit on clinical aspects of spondyloarthritis (SPARKLE initiative), and as workshop convener of the International Training Course on MRI in Spondyloarthritis, both sponsored by AbbVie International. Walter P. Maksymowych declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. 562 Heritage Medical Research Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Ulrich Weber & Walter P. Maksymowych

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  1. Ulrich Weber
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Correspondence to Walter P. Maksymowych.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Seronegative Arthritis

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Weber, U., Maksymowych, W.P. Advances and Challenges in Spondyloarthritis Imaging for Diagnosis and Assessment of Disease. Curr Rheumatol Rep 15, 345 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-013-0345-z

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