Magnetic resonance imaging guided corticosteroid injection of the sacroiliac joints in patients with therapy resistant spondyloarthropathy: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided corticosteroid injections of inflamed sacroiliac (SI) joints in patients with spondyloarthropathy with therapy resistant sacroiliitis.


METHODS
We performed 16 injections in 9 patients on an outpatient basis (6 men, 3 women, mean age at onset 24.7 +/- 7.5 yrs). All patients had MRI guided injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide into SI joints using an open 0.2 Tesla unit. Before and 3 months after corticosteroid injection they underwent an MRI examination with a closed 1.5 Tesla unit.


RESULTS
Seven of 9 patients reported subjective improvement that lasted at least a mean of 10.8 +/- 5.6 months. Subchondral bone marrow edema on fat suppressed images resolved in 8 patients after corticosteroid injection.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI guided corticosteroid injection of SI joints appears to be an effective and safe procedure without exposure to radiation. It is a useful therapeutic modality, especially in young patients with severe isolated sacroiliitis.
Günaydin
I
I
Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany. ilhan.guenaydin@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Pereira
P L
PL
Daikeler
T
T
Mohren
M
M
Trübenbach
J
J
Schick
F
F
Kanz
L
L
Kötter
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011859:Radiography; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones