Blurring and Irregularity of the Subchondral Cortex in Pediatric Sacroiliac Joints on T1 Images: Incidence of Normal Findings That Can Mimic Erosions
Authors' conclusion
At least two-thirds (65%) of normal pediatric SI joints showed at least 1 feature that is a component of the adult definition of SI joint erosions, risking overdiagnosis of sacroiliitis.
Study context
- Population
- Children (mean age 12.4 years, range 6.1–18.0) with sacroiliac (SI) joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without sacroiliitis132 girls
- Participants
- 251 children
- Exposure
- Nonrheumatic vs Low back pain
- Nonrheumaticn = 127
- Low back painn = 124
- Outcome
- Prevalence of subchondral bone variations mimicking erosions on T1-weighted MRI of pediatric SI joints (visibility, blurring, irregularity of cortical black line)
Methodological detailsblinded readers (3 radiologists), 2 cohorts
- Blinded readers (3 radiologists)
- 2 cohorts
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cortical black line features (agreement of ≥2 readers)
- Cortical black line partially absent
- 88.4%
- Cortical black line blurred
- 34.7%
- Cortical black line irregular
- 41.4%
- Clearly visualised, sharply delineated SI joints with none of these features (≥2 readers)
- 8.0%
- Clearly visualised, sharply delineated SI joints with none of these features (all 3 readers agreeing)
- 35.1%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Location of features
- All features most common on iliac side of SI joints and at first sacral vertebra level
Differences by sex, cohort and age
- No significant difference between sexes or cohorts; findings similar across pediatric age groups
Original publication
Blurring and Irregularity of the Subchondral Cortex in Pediatric Sacroiliac Joints on T1 Images: Incidence of Normal Findings That Can Mimic Erosions. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 2 September 2022. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →