RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Limited Diagnostic Value of Unilateral Sacroiliitis in Scintigraphy in Assessing Axial Spondyloarthritis JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP jrheum.091216 DO 10.3899/jrheum.091216 A1 In-Ho Song A1 Henning Brandt A1 Martin Rudwaleit A1 Joachim Sieper YR 2010 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2010/04/14/jrheum.091216.abstract AB Objective To assess the diagnostic value for axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) of unilateral sacroiliitis in scintigraphy in daily clinical practice. Methods In 207 patients with chronic back pain, the diagnostic value of scintigraphy was assessed retrospectively. The diagnosis made by the rheumatologist (axial SpA vs no axial SpA) was the standard. Results Sensitivities of scintigraphy for any (unilateral or bilateral), bilateral, and isolated unilateral sacroiliitis were 64.9%, 40.2%, and 24.7%, respectively. Respective specificities were 50.5%, 57.7%, and 92.8%, resulting in likelihood ratios of 1.3, 1.0, and 3.4. Conclusion Scintigraphy of the sacroiliac joints is of limited value for the diagnosis of axial SpA. Unilateral compared to bilateral sacroiliitis is slightly superior, but is associated with a low sensitivity.