MULTI-parametric MR imaging of the sacroiliac joints in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Motivation: Cartilage abnormalities of the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in spondyloarthritis(SpA) manifest as degeneration, fragmentation and erosions, fibrosis, and ossification. Goal(s): To test whether MULTIPLEX(MTP) sequence of the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) might help identifying patients with SpA. Approach: This study included 20 patients with axial SpA and 20 controls who prospectively underwent SIJs MRI using an oblique coronal MTP sequence. Results: The PD and T2* values of cartilage in patients with SpA were significantly higher than those of healthy volunteers, p<0.05. There was no statistical difference between SpA and healthy group in T1 values of SIJ cartilage, P>0.05. Impact: The MTP sequence represents a significant advancement in the imaging of SpA. By providing quantitative PD and T2* values of the SIJ cartilage, it offers a novel tool for the early diagnosis of SpA.