Clinical and imaging mimickers of axial spondyloarthritis

Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2017 Dec;47(3):361-368. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2017.05.009. Epub 2017 May 20.

Abstract

The first step in the diagnosis of a patient with suspected axial spondyloarthritis is to differentiate the signs and symptoms of the disease from other disorders, potentially manifesting with similar clinical and imaging features. This review examines diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, osteitis condensans ilii, and other developmental and metabolic disorders that may mimic axial spondyloarthritis, highlighting the diagnostic caveats and discussing shared and distinguishing aspects of these conditions in order to improve the clinician's ability to set them apart.

Keywords: Accessory sacroiliac joint; Alkaptonuria; Axial spondyloarthritis; Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis; Hypophosphatemia; Osteitis condensans ilii; Stress fracture.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperostosis / diagnosis
  • Low Back Pain / diagnosis*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Sacroiliac Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Sacroiliac Joint / injuries
  • Spondylarthritis / diagnosis*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed