title: Anatomic Evaluation of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Radiographic Study with Implications for Procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sacroiliac joint (SI) pain is increasingly being recognized as a source of low back pain. Injections and percutaneous type procedures are performed to treat symptomatic joints. However, there are limited studies available assessing the anatomy of the SI joint in vivo among patients with pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to provide more precise information on the dimensions and orientation of the SI joint using a new technique for the radiographic evaluation of this joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Emergency department
  
  
  METHODS
  Three dimensional computed tomographic (CT) reconstructions of the pelvis were formatted from 100 SI joints in 50 patients who had clinically indicated abdominal/pelvic scans. These images were manipulated to evaluate the SI joint in multiple planes and measure its dimensions, area, and relationship to anatomic landmarks such as the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 50 patients, 23 were men and 27 women. Their mean age was 47.6 years (± 18.1). The SI joint consists of a superior limb which measures 39.7 mm (± 4.8) in length, and an inferior limb which measures 54.3 mm (± 5.1), oriented at an angle of 100.1° (± 8.1) to one another. The mean area of the joint was 1276.8 mm2 (± 189.8). The horizontal distance from the ASIS to the front of the superior SI joint is 75.4 mm (± 8.4). The horizontal distance from the PSIS to the back of the superior SI joint is 43.9 mm (± 5.6). The joint stretches 7.5 mm (± 5.9) cephalad and 38.1 mm (± 6.4) caudal to the PSIS, and 35.4 mm (± 8.8) cephalad and 10.2 mm (± 11.4) caudal to the ASIS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT scans were performed with patients lying supine, while most SI joint procedures are performed with a patient prone. However it is doubtful that the bony anatomic landmarks would change appreciable in this largely immobile joint. These patients were seen in the emergency department for a variety of conditions related to abdominal and pelvic pain, and not exclusively for SI joint pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of the SI joint by surgeons and interventionalists is hampered by the limited number of anatomic studies in the literature. Our study presents the SI joint as a 2-limbed structure, sitting from slightly above the level of the PSIS rostrally to slightly below the level of the ASIS caudally. Palpation of these landmarks may assist in directing physicians to the joint. To begin an interventional pain procedure, with a patient lying prone, this data supports tilting the x-ray image intensifier 10 degrees caudal past the vertical anteroposterior (AP) view for optimal approach of the SI joint's inferior limb. The needle entry should be about 44.1 mm (1.75 inches) caudal to the PSIS. The image intensifier should have a 12 degree left lateral oblique view for injection of the right SI joint, and a 12 degree right lateral oblique view for the left SI joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Sumit H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of California San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Payam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farjoodi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haloman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Pascual
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dutton
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego CA.
authors.forename: Arvin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hariri
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Radiology, University of California San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Samuel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Garfin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Douglas G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016684:Prone Position; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016683:Supine Position; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed