title: Tc-99m HIG Scintigraphy in Detection of Active Inflammation in Ankylosing Spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The diagnosis of active inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is crucial for treatment to delay possible persistent deformities. There are no specific laboratory tests and imaging methods to clarify the active disease. We evaluated the value of Tc-99m human immunoglobulin (HIG) scintigraphy in detection of active inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients were included. Tc-99m methylenediphosphonate bone (MDP) and HIG scintigraphies were performed within 2-5 day intervals. Two control groups were constituted both for MDP and HIG scintigraphies. Active inflammation was determined clinically and by serologic tests. Both scintigraphies were evaluated visually. Sacroiliac joint index values (SII) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active inflammation was considered in five (sacroiliitis in 2, sacroiliitis-spinal inflammation in 1, achilles tendinitis in 1, arthritis of coxafemoral joints in 1) patients. HIG scintigraphy demonstrated active disease in all 3 patients with active sacroiliitis. But, it was negative in the rest. The other 2 active cases were HIG negative. Right and left SII obtained from HIG scintigraphy was higher (p<0.05) in clinically active patients than inactive patients. There was not any significant difference between patients with inactive sacroiliitis and normal controls. Right and left SII obtained from bone scintigraphy was higher (p<0.05) in patient group than in control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinically inactive AS patients, behave no differently than normal controls with quantitative sacroiliac joint evaluation on HIG scintigraphy. HIG scintigraphy may be valuable for evaluation of sacroiliac joints in patients with unc
  
  
  RESULTS
  ertain laboratory and clinical findings.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None declared.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, School of Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozdoğan
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Değirmenci
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Senocak
authors.forename: Selmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gülbahar
authors.forename: Gülhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taşçı
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akalın
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Durak
keywords: Tc-99m-HIG; ankylosing spondylitis; inflammation