title: Should radiologists image and report sacroiliac joints in patients referred for examination of the lumbar spine?
abstract: It is routine to image the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in patients referred for radiographic examination of the lumbar spine but there were only two consistent with ankylosing spondylitis in a review of 392 radiographic reports of lumbar spine examinations. A more sensible policy would be to only image and report on the SIJs if the clinical history were indicative of ankylosing spondylosis.
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yates
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*