What is seen on MRI in Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Prepare for the CMS II Rheumatology E1 Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Study using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

What is seen on MRI in Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Explanation:
In Ankylosing Spondylitis, MRI best reveals active inflammation as bone marrow edema, especially at the sacroiliac joints and the vertebral endplates. This edema appears as high signal on STIR or fat-suppressed T2-weighted sequences and indicates an ongoing inflammatory process. Over time, structural changes like erosions, fat metaplasia, and syndesmophyte formation can develop, while osteophytes and typical degenerative joint changes are less characteristic of AS. Soft tissue swelling can occur with inflammation, but it’s not the defining, most specific MRI finding for active AS.

In Ankylosing Spondylitis, MRI best reveals active inflammation as bone marrow edema, especially at the sacroiliac joints and the vertebral endplates. This edema appears as high signal on STIR or fat-suppressed T2-weighted sequences and indicates an ongoing inflammatory process. Over time, structural changes like erosions, fat metaplasia, and syndesmophyte formation can develop, while osteophytes and typical degenerative joint changes are less characteristic of AS. Soft tissue swelling can occur with inflammation, but it’s not the defining, most specific MRI finding for active AS.

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