Detection of Erosions in Sacroiliac Joints of Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis Using the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volumetric Interpolated Breath-hold Examination

Abstract

Objective The volume-interpolated breathhold examination (VIBE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique can visualize erosive cartilage defects in peripheral joints. We evaluated the ability of VIBE to detect erosions in sacroiliac joints (SIJ) of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) as compared to the established T1-weighted (T1w)-MRI sequence and computed tomography (CT). Methods MRIs (T1w- and VIBE-) and CTs of SIJs of 109 axSpA patients were evaluated by two blinded readers based on SIJ-quadrants (SQ). Erosions were defined according to ASAS definitions. Scores were recorded if readers were in agreement. Results Erosions were less frequently detected by CT (153 SQ) than T1w-MRI (185 SQ, p=0.008) and VIBE-MRI (199 SQ, p=0.031 vs. CT and pConclusion The VIBE-MRI sequence was more sensitive than T1w-MRI in identifying erosive damage in the SIJ, especially in younger patients. This might be due to the ability of VIBE-MRI to identify structural changes in the cartilage that have not yet extended to the underlying bone, where CT seems to be superior.