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Magnetic resonance imaging of septic sacroiliitis

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Abstract

Five cases of septic sacroiliitis diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are presented. Imaging was performed between 2 and 14 days after onset of symptoms and consisted of varying combinations of coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR), axial T2-weighted spin echo (SE), and coronal and axial pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted SE scans. Abnormalities included demonstration of sacroiliac joint effusions, bone oedema and adjacent inflammation as high signal on STIR and T2-weighted SE scans, and identification of abscesses in two cases as rim-enhancing lesions anterior to the joint on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted SE scans. The role of MRI and other forms of imaging in septic sacroiliitis is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRI Unit, Department of Radiology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK

    K. Sandrasegaran M.B., M.R.C.P., A. Saifuddin M.B., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.R., A. Coral M.B., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.R. & W. P. Butt M.D., F.R.C.R., F.R.C.P. (C)

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  1. K. Sandrasegaran M.B., M.R.C.P.
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  2. A. Saifuddin M.B., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.R.
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  3. A. Coral M.B., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.R.
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  4. W. P. Butt M.D., F.R.C.R., F.R.C.P. (C)
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Sandrasegaran, K., Saifuddin, A., Coral, A. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of septic sacroiliitis. Skeletal Radiol. 23, 289–292 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02412363

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