What is the appropriate MRI request for evaluation of low back pain in Axial Spondyloarthritis?
MRI of the pelvis with T1 sequences (for evaluation of ankylosis, erosions, backfill, and fatty metaplasia) and STIR sequences (for evaluation of osteitis/inflammation). Include semi-coronal views (to visualize the sacroiliac joints along its full length). Pelvis MRI captures 95% of patients with axSpA/AS—only 5% of patients require L spine MRI due to normal pelvis MRI.
