- Lambert RGW, Bakker PAC, van der Heijde D, et al. Defining active sacroiliitis on MRI for classification of axial spondyloarthritis: update by the ASAS MRI Working group. Ann Rheum Dis 2016;75:1958–63.
- Hermann K-GA, Baraliakos X, van der Heijde DMFM, et al. Descriptions of spinal MRI lesions and definition of a positive MRI of the spine in axial spondyloarthritis: a consensual approach by the ASAS/OMERACT MRI study Group. Ann Rheum Dis 2012;71:1278–88.
- Rudwaleit M, Jurik AG, Hermann K-GA, et al. Defining active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for classification of axial spondyloarthritis: a consensual approach by the ASAS/OMERACT MRI group. Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:1520–7.
Background:
What do we already know about this topic?
- Imaging of the sacroiliac joint and spine is needed for diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).1,2
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows visualisation of the inflammatory nature of axSpA.3
- The first definition of a positive MRI highly suggestive of axSpA was published in 2012;2 since then use of spinal MRI has increased.
- Understanding how to interpret inflammatory and structural spinal lesions in the context of clinical symptoms in axSpA has advanced significantly.
How was this update conducted?
- After review of the literature on spinal MRI pathology in axSpA, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) agreed there was a need to revise the nomenclature from 2012.
- 62 MRI scans from the ASAS classification cohort were used to validate proposed definitions at the vertebral corner, vertebral endplate, facet joints, transverse processes, lateral, and posterior elements.
