Anatomical variation of the sacroiliac joints: an MRI study with synthetic CT images

Insights into Imaging

Original Article

Jacob L. Jaremko¹  Lieve Morbée²  Lennart Jans²  Elke Vereecke²  Nele Herregods²  Frederiek Laloo²  Min Chen³ 

[1] Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta Hospital, T6G 2B7, Edmonton, AB, Canada;Department of Radiology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium;Department of Radiology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, 518036, Shenzhen, China;

关键词: Sacroiliac joint;    Anatomic variation;    Magnetic resonance imaging;    Artificial intelligence;    Synthetic computed tomography;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13244-023-01373-1

 received in 2022-11-17, accepted in 2023-01-09,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSynthetic computed tomography (sCT) images are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based images, generated using artificial intelligence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anatomical variants of sacroiliac joints (SIJ) on sCT images and the correlation with age, sex and body weight.MethodsMRI of the SIJ including sCT images of 215 patients clinically suspected for sacroiliitis were retrospectively analyzed. The presence of anatomical variants of the SIJ was assessed. Age, sex and body mass index at the time of the MRI were recorded.ResultsSIJ variants were found in 82.8% (356/430) of the evaluated joints. The most frequent variants were iliosacral complex (27.7%), bipartite iliac bony plate (27.2%) and crescent iliac bony plate (27%). One new variant was identified, consisting of an accessory facet of the SIJ on the superior side. Overall, SIJ variants were slightly more frequent in women (85.8% vs. 77.8%), but iliosacral complex was significantly more frequent in men. Isolated synostosis was more prevalent with advancing age, in contrast to semicircular defect and unfused ossification center. The occurrence of iliosacral complex was associated with higher BMI, while crescent iliac bony plate occurred more in patients with lower BMI.ConclusionOver 80% of patients in this study, who were all suspected of sacroiliitis, had at least one SIJ variant. These variants may actually represent subtypes of the normal SIJ. sCT enables detection of very small or subtle findings including SIJ variants.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

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