Imaging of spondyloarthropathies

Abstract

Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of disorders that primarily affect the synovial joints of the axial and appendicular skeleton of variable predilections. Plain radiography is the initial and standard method of investigation in axial SpAs. Careful evaluation of the radiographs through developing a systematic approach is indispensible in reaching the correct diagnosis. Cross-sectional imaging, in particular magnetic resonance imaging, has been increasingly used in evaluating SpAs during the early phases of the disease or when radiographic findings are equivocal. Different types of SpAs demonstrate different imaging characteristics that are important to identify to reach the correct diagnosis.