Can Dixon technique replace conventional MRI for precise assessment of sacroiliitis in Ankylosing spondylitis patients?

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a subtype of arthritis from the axial spondyloarthritis spectrum (1). Involvement of the sacroiliac joints is regarded as an early indicator of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), enabling early detection and effective treatment of the condition. (2). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a precise tool that has become essential for the early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA). ( 3,4). MRI allows for the assessment of joint anatomy, including the marrow, cartilage, subchondral bone, surrounding ligaments, and capsule, and is particularly effective in the early diagnosis of acute sacroiliitis. (5). Results: Thirty-two patients were enrolled in this study. Most of patients were males (62.5%). There was a significant relation between SPARCC score and CRP level, ASDAS-CRP, BASDAI and BASFI by conventional MRI and Dixon technique. Conclusion: Our results concluded that MRI T2 Dixon can serve as a reliable alternative to conventional MRI protocols for assessing active and chronic sacroiliitis. It can be utilized to detect disease activity at an early stage, guide clinical decision making, assess treatment effectiveness and monitor disease progression. This promotes its integration in clinical practice. Continued research is essential to fully establish the role of the T2 Dixon technique in the comprehensive evaluation of AS.