Imaging in pediatric spondyloarthritis

Abstract

Purpose of review Imaging is used in the diagnosis of peripheral and axial disease in juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSpA). Imaging of the joints and entheses in children and adolescents can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the appearance of the maturing skeleton. These differences are key for rheumatologists and radiologists to be aware of. Recent findings In youth, skeletal variation during maturation makes the identification of arthritis, enthesitis, and sacroiliitis difficult. A great effort has been put forward to define imaging characteristics seen in healthy children in order to more accurately identify disease. Additionally, there are novel imaging modalities on the horizon that are promising to further differentiate normal physiologic changes versus disease. Summary This review describes the current state of imaging, limitations, and future imaging modalities in youth, with key attention to differences in imaging interpretation of the peripheral joints, entheses, and sacroiliac joint in youth and adults.