MRI for axial SpA: Diagnosis, disease activity assessment, and recent advances

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive imaging modality to detect early inflammatory changes in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). Over a decade has passed since the inclusion of MRI assessment in the 2009 Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial SpA. Evidence and clinical experience of MRI in axial SpA have accumulated rapidly since. This has led to a better understanding of the clinical utility of MRI in early diagnosis, disease activity assessment, and monitoring of treatment response in axial SpA. Furthermore, technological advancements have paved the way for the development of novel MRI sequences for the quantification of inflammation and image optimization. The field of artificial intelligence has also been explored to aid medical imaging interpretation, including MRI in axial SpA. This review serves to provide an update on the latest understanding of the evolving roles of MRI in axial SpA.

Keywords: ankylosing spondylitis; magnetic resonance imaging; spondyloarthritis.