Sacroiliac joints: anatomical variations on MR images

ObjectiveTo describe the appearance of the anatomical variations of the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) on MR images and to highlight the potential MR features that might be misleading.MethodsConsecutive MRI examinations of SIJs performed at our department from January 2015 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. As one of our goals was to describe potential misleading edematous or structural changes associated with SIJ anatomical variations, patients fulfilling the ASAS criteria were excluded from this study to ensure that signal intensity changes would not be related to sacroiliitis. Five anatomical variations and a dysmorphic appearance of the SIJ were detected.ResultsThe final group consisted of 157 patients. Unilateral or bilateral anatomical variations of the SIJ were found in 50 patients (accessory SIJ, iliosacral complex and sacral defect in 17, 18 and 21 patients, respectively, and synostosis in one patient). A dysmorphic appearance of the SIJ was found in 26 patients. No case of an unfused ossification centers was depicted. Structural and/or edematous changes of the facing bones were quite frequently observed in accessory and dysmorphic SIJ. Iliosacral complex and sacral defects could be associated with prominent vessels running along their bony surfaces.ConclusionSeveral anatomical variations of the SIJs are relatively commonly seen on MR images, particularly in females. These variations may be associated with signal intensity changes, which may be mechanical and not necessarily inflammatory in nature.Key points center dot Anatomical variations of SIJ may involve the cartilaginous or ligamentous part of the joint center dot Anatomical variations of SIJ are sometimes associated with edematous and/or structural changes of the adjacent bone center dot Anatomical variations of the SIJ can be misleading on MR imaging