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 1200
OP 1202
DO 10.3899/jrheum.091216
VO 37
IS 6
A1 IN-HO SONG
A1 HENNING BRANDT
A1 MARTIN RUDWALEIT
A1 JOACHIM SIEPER
YR 2010
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/37/6/1200.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.