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ESR Essentials: Imaging of sacroiliitis—practice recommendations by ESSR

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Abstract

Sacroiliitis is commonly seen in patients with axial spondyloarthritis, in whom timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible structural damage. Imaging has a prominent place in the diagnostic process and several new imaging techniques have been examined for this purpose. We present a summary of updated evidence-based practice recommendations for imaging of sacroiliitis. MRI remains the imaging modality of choice for patients with suspected sacroiliitis, using at least four sequences: coronal oblique T1-weighted and fluid-sensitive sequences, a perpendicular axial oblique sequence, and a sequence for optimal evaluation of the bone-cartilage interface. Both active inflammatory and structural lesions should be described in the report, indicating location and extent. Radiography and CT, especially low-dose CT, are reasonable alternatives when MRI is unavailable, as patients are often young. This is particularly true to evaluate structural lesions, at which CT excels. Dual-energy CT with virtual non-calcium images can be used to depict bone marrow edema. Knowledge of normal imaging features in children (e.g., flaring, blurring, or irregular appearance of the articular surface) is essential for interpreting sacroiliac joint MRI in children because these normal processes can simulate disease.

Clinical relevance statement

Sacroiliitis is a potentially debilitating disease if not diagnosed and treated promptly, before structural damage to the sacroiliac joints occurs. Imaging has a prominent place in the diagnostic process. We present a summary of practice recommendations for imaging of sacroiliitis, including several new imaging techniques.

Key Points

• MRI is the modality of choice for suspected inflammatory sacroiliitis, including a joint-line-specific sequence for optimal evaluation of the bone-cartilage interface to improve detection of erosions.

• Radiography and CT (especially low-dose CT) are reasonable alternatives when MRI is unavailable.

• Knowledge of normal imaging features in children is mandatory for interpretation of MRI of pediatric sacroiliac joints.

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Abbreviations

axSpA:

Axial spondyloarthritis

DECT:

Dual-energy CT

JSpA:

Juvenile spondyloarthropathy

ldCT:

Low-dose CT

mNYC:

Modified New York criteria

SIJ:

Sacroiliac joint

STIR:

Short tau inversion recovery

T2FS:

T2-weighted fat-saturated

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Acknowledgements

This paper was endorsed by the Executive Council of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the Executive Committee of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) in February 2024.

Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Elke Vereecke, Nele Herregods, Lieve Morbée & Lennart Jans

  2. Department of Radiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Torsten Diekhoff

  3. Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Torsten Diekhoff

  4. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 5262000, Ramat Gan, Israel

    Iris Eshed

  5. Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada

    Jacob L. Jaremko

Authors
  1. Elke Vereecke
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  2. Torsten Diekhoff
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  3. Iris Eshed
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  4. Nele Herregods
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  5. Lieve Morbée
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  6. Jacob L. Jaremko
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  7. Lennart Jans
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Correspondence to Lennart Jans.

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The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

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evidence-based practice recommendations

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Vereecke, E., Diekhoff, T., Eshed, I. et al. ESR Essentials: Imaging of sacroiliitis—practice recommendations by ESSR. Eur Radiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-024-10653-3

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