Inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic description of the extent and frequency of acute spinal changes using magnetic resonance imaging

This article signals the acceptance of MRI as a method of picking up early inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis, predominantly in the dorsal spine and dorso-lumbar junction. As the use of drugs such as etanercept increases in the control of ankylosing spondylitis, it becomes important to study the effect of these drugs on inflammatory processes. This article also has a new classification of the severity of ankylosing spondylitis, based on the MRI appearances.

Inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic description of the extent and frequency of acute spinal changes using magnetic resonance imaging -- Baraliakos et al. 64 (5): 730 -- Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases