Diagnostic and interventional radiologist Dr. Nils-Martin Bruckmann of the University of Dusseldorf will discuss details of a study in 11 men and five women with clinically active radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA). The researchers performed F-18 NaF PET/MRI scans of the sacroiliac joint and whole spine in patients at baseline and at time points up to six months following anti-TNF therapy.
Three independent readers evaluated all images for inflammation (bone marrow edema) and structural lesions. F-18 NaF uptake was recorded on the level of sacroiliac joint quadrants (SIJ-Q) and vertebral quadrants (VQ). The researchers analyzed a total of 128 SIJ-Qs and 920 VQs at each time point.
At baseline, F-18 NaF uptake was found in 96% of sacroiliac joint quadrants with bone marrow edema, 94.2% of quadrants with sclerosis, and 88.3% with fat lesions. At follow-up, there was a significant decrease in F-18 NaF uptake, with uptake in 65.3% of sacroiliac joint quadrants with bone marrow edema, 33.8% with sclerosis, and 24.5% with fat lesions.
The findings support the early initiation of anti-inflammatory treatment for the prevention of radiographic progression in axial spondyloarthritis, the group noted.
Find out more about the study by attending this session on Thursday morning.
