Musculoskeletal #26

Describe the abnormality

Bilateral sacroiliac joint space narrowing, subchondral erosions, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral fatty marrow infiltration.

What is the differential diagnosis?

Bilateral symmetrical:
Ankylosing spondylitis
Inflammatory bowel disease. 

Bilateral asymmetrical:
Psoriasis
Reactive arthritis (Reiter syndrome) 

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Ankylosing spondylitis

What are the markers of active inflammation?

Erosions with high signal intensity on STIR or T2- weighted images, subchondral edema, and enhancement within or adjacent to the sacroiliac joint.

What are the markers of chronic disease?

Low signal intensity on T1- and T2- weighted images, subchondral sclerosis, narrowing of the joint spaces, bone bridging, and ankylosis.

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