Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosis and Monitoring Enthesitis in Patients with Spondyloarthritis: An OMERACT Systematic Literature Review

J Rheumatol. 2019 Sep;46(9):1207-1214. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.181083. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Abstract

Objective: A systematic literature review was performed to document published magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion definitions and scoring systems for enthesitis in spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for original publications involving adult patients with SpA undergoing MRI of axial/peripheral joints. Selected articles were assessed for quality using a standardized assessment tool and metric indices.

Results: Considering the heterogeneous design, quality, and outcome measures of studies, statistical data pooling was considered inappropriate. A qualitative narrative of results was undertaken based on study designs.

Conclusion: Lack of a comprehensive, validated score warrants additional research to develop an MRI enthesitis scoring system. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018090537.

Keywords: ENTHESOPATHY; INFLAMMATION; MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING; OMERACT; SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Enthesopathy / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Spondylarthritis / diagnostic imaging*