title: Magnetic resonance imaging guided corticosteroid injection of the sacroiliac joints in patients with therapy resistant spondyloarthropathy: a pilot study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany. ilhan.guenaydin@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Günaydin
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daikeler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohren
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trübenbach
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schick
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kötter
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones