title: Spondyloarthropathies: ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.
abstract: As advances in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis continue, TNF-alpha blocking agents may eventually be used as a first-line treatment. MR imaging could then be used to aid in the early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis by identifying early sacroiliitis, followed by immediate initiation of treatment to prevent the progression of the disease with its accompanying morbidities. Currently, radiographic identification of sacroiliitis remains the mainstay in diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis. In ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis, MR imaging can demonstrate areas that are undergoing active inflammatory changes and enthesitis, aiding in the diagnosis of a spondyloarthropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Section of Musculoskeletal Radiology, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. lee-bennett@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: D Lee
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Kenjirou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: Georges Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: El-Khoury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha