title: MRI of spondylitis.
abstract: MRI of proven spondylitis was performed in 39 patients. Acute spondylitis appeared hypointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Following intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA, enhancement of the marrow and disc was seen. With progressive healing an increasing signal was seen on T1-weighted images. This was caused by the presence of focal fat marrow representing the first sign of therapy response. As healing progressed, the T1-signal increased due to fatty marrow, while the T2-signal decreased as well as the enhancement following Gd-DTPA administration. Therefore, MR imaging can be recommended as the method of choice for early diagnosis of spondylitis and assessment of therapy response.
authors.affiliation: MR Institute, University of Vienna.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stiglbauer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wimberger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imhof
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA