A brief magnetic resonance imaging protocol for spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis is a group of diseases that seriously hampers quality of life. Diagnostic criteria, in which images play an important role, have evolved over time. The most recent diagnostic criteria, published in 2009, included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joints for the first time. This technique achieves an early diagnosis and provides a useful tool for the evaluation and prediction of response to biological therapy. Herein, we describe the different MRI findings in spondyloarthropathies. We also highlight the use of a protocol that includes the sacroiliac joints and spine and that does not consider the routine use of paramagnetic contrast.