脊柱关节病患者骶髂关节细针活检的病理表现及其临床意义

目的了解骶髂关节(SIJ)炎的病理表现,提高强直性脊柱炎(AS)的早期诊断水平。方法对96例脊柱关节病(SpA)患者的SIJ进行CT导引下的细针活检,3例非SpA死亡病例为对照组。记录临床资料进行分析。结果76例SpA的SIJ存在炎症表现,包括骨髓炎、血管翳形成和炎性细胞浸润,软骨下骨板破坏,软骨变性、破坏,滑膜炎,附着点炎等。其中45例0～Ⅰ级CT下SIJ炎均存在骨髓炎、软骨下骨板炎、软骨变性等改变;0级CT下SIJ炎的滑膜无病理改变,而部分Ⅰ级和所有≥Ⅱ级SIJ炎滑膜可见炎症;软骨破坏和骨化发生率以0～Ⅰ级最低,且仅见于软骨下骨板侧,关节面侧未见破坏;骨质硬化也是0～Ⅰ级最少见;附着点炎仅见于部分≥Ⅱ级SIJ炎;炎性细胞浸润程度Ⅳ级最低。45例0～Ⅰ级CT下SIJ炎的SpA经病理检查诊断为AS;其平均病程显著短于≥Ⅱ级者。结论0级CT下SIJ炎时SIJ已可有炎症存在。SIJ炎可能自骨髓开始,继而血管翳形成,软骨下骨板破坏,软骨变性、破坏,最后纤维化、骨化而导致关节融合。滑膜炎和附着点炎不是SIJ炎的最早改变。病理检查有利于AS的早期诊断和鉴别诊断。     

脊柱关节病骶髂关节的病理表现

目的 了解不同阶段骶髂关节（SIJ）炎的病理变化,提高脊柱关节病（SpA)的早期诊断水平。方法 8例强直性脊柱炎（AS）及5例未分化脊柱关节病（uSpA)患者行CT导引下SIJ关节内激素治疗前,先取SIJ组织。所得标本行HE染色,普通光学显微镜观察。结果 CT0－I级SIJ炎的uSpA病人,SIJ可见滑膜炎症（包括衬里层细胞肥大增生、疏松结缔组织炎症细胞浸润）,局灶性软骨基质减少、变性、纤维化,软骨下骨板炎症细胞浸润。CTⅡ-Ⅲ级SIJ炎病理变化主要为软骨严重变性、破坏,血管翳形成,大量炎症细胞浸润,软骨下骨板破坏;CTⅣ级SIJ炎的病理改变则以软骨下骨板破坏,大量死骨形成,钙盐沉着为主要特点。3份标本的滑膜和软骨下骨板可见嗜酸性粒细胞（EO）比例增高。结论 滑膜衬里细胞肥大增生、疏松结缔组织炎症细胞浸润等滑膜炎表现,局灶性软骨基质减少、变性、纤维化和软骨下骨板炎症细胞浸润、破坏,是早期SIJ炎的病理特点;在CT未出现改变以前,病理学检查有助于早期诊断。     

骶髂关节炎磁共振检查意义初探

目的：探讨骶髂关节（SIJ）炎磁共振（MRI）检查的意义。方法：强直性脊柱炎（AS）12例，未分化脊柱关节病（uSpA)7例，作X线平片、CT和MRI检查。其中14例作动态MRI增强，11例作CT导引经皮穿刺活检。8例正常志愿者作MRI平扫和动态MRI增强。结果：CT和MRI对Ⅲ、Ⅳ级SIJ炎的判断基本一致，对0－Ⅱ级的判断二者相差较大。SIJ关节区的强化与组织炎症细胞的检出相关。关节旁骨髓水肿仅见于SIJ炎，也与SIJ的强化及组织炎症相关。结论：MRI通过增强（动态）、关节旁水肿等表现，推断Ⅱ、Ⅲ级SIJ的炎性活动程度，明确0级、I级SIJ炎的诊断，了解IV级SIJ是否存在炎症活动，对SIJ炎的早期诊断和病情活动性判定有重要意义。     

磁共振成像对早期骶髂关节炎的诊断价值研究

目的了解磁共振成像(MRI)在早期骶髂关节炎诊断中的意义。方法对82例炎症性腰背痛或不对称性下肢滑膜炎患者的骶髂关节CT扫描、MRI平扫以及病理检查结果进行分析比较。结果45例病理证实的早期骶髂关节炎中,69%(31/45)MRI显示骶髂关节存在炎症性改变。但17例病理检查骶髂关节无炎症性改变者,也有59%(10/17)MRI表现不同程度骶髂关节炎症性改变。以病理检查结果为依据,MRI对早期骶髂关节炎诊断的敏感性、特异性分别为69%和41%。结论MRI对早期骶髂关节炎的诊断有一定的敏感性,但特异性不高,临床应用要慎重考虑。     

早期骶髂关节炎和致密性髂骨炎的鉴别(附33例临床分析)

目的了解早期骶髂关节(SIJ)炎和致密性髂骨炎(OCI)的鉴别诊断要点。方法对1997~2004年汕头大学医学院第一附属医院经X线诊断的33例OCI全部进行SIJCT扫描,CT未能确诊的病例进行SIJ细针穿刺活检。记录临床、实验室、影像学、病理检查资料,进行分析。结果33例中,17例经CT或病理检查证实SIJ炎症。这些病例的临床特点包括:(1)80%以上HLA-B27阳性。(2)年龄较OCI病例轻。(3)有1/3左右病例为男性,女性多为未婚或未育者。(4)临床上都有SIJ炎的症状和(或)体征。(5)实验室检查多有γ球蛋白、血沉(ESR)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、碱性磷酸酶(ALT)升高。而OCI病例HLA-B27阳性率同一般人群,均为女性,且多为经产妇,少有SIJ炎体征或实验室检查异常。结论X线OCI中,不少病例可能是早期SIJ炎,应注意深入检查以除外之。     

早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变的X线、CT和MRI的诊断价值比较

目的比较早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变的X线、CT和MRI的诊断价值。方法在本院确诊的168例早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变患者作为研究对象,回顾性分析患者的X线、CT和MRI检查结果。结果 X线检出率为73.2%,CT检出率为86.9%,MRI检出率为100%,组间两两比较均有显著性差异(均P<0.01),MRI检出率显著高于CT和X线检出率,CT检出率显著高于X线检出率。结论 MRI可以较好的弥补X线和CT的缺陷,不仅具有更高的诊断价值,还具有一定的治疗指导价值,对于早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变来说,可以作为优先考虑的诊断方式。     

CT引导下骶髂关节腔内注射重组人Ⅱ型肿瘤坏死因子受体-抗体融合蛋白治疗强直性脊柱炎的研究

目的 通过对骶髂关节局部注射重组人Ⅱ型肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)受体-抗体融合蛋白(rhTNFR:Fc)的病理及影像研究,初步评价局部生物制剂治疗的临床疗效和安全性.方法 16例强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者采用单侧骶髂关节腔内注射rhTNFR:Fc的局部治疗方法(每月1次,25 mg/次,共3次,总疗程8周),对比20例全身皮下注射用药组(每周2次,25 mg/次,共16次,总疗程8周),分析其疗效、安全性、耐受性.同时观察注药前后骶髂活检组织细胞因子TNF-α、转化生长因子(TGF)-β、白细胞介素(IL)-6 mRNA的表达和光镜、免疫组织化学的变化,以及单光子发射计算机断层(SPECT)和磁共振成像(MRI)在代谢和宏观形态学上的改变.采用t检验或t'检验及χ2 Fisher's 精确检验或秩和检验.结果 rhTNFR:Fc局部注射显示:①治疗组在12周后Bath强直性脊柱炎疾病活动指数(BASDAI)评分(32±13)mm、疲乏(40±16)mm、晨僵(35±16)min、骶髂关节局部压痛(34±22)mm、患者总体评价VAS评分(40±17)mm上有明显改善(P<0.01),不良反应减少,并能节省医疗费用.②治疗后活检组织TNF-α、TGF-βmRNA相对表达量(0.891±0.06,0.84±0.05)较治疗前(1.08±0.19,1.13±0.33)明显下降(P<0.05),IL-6 mRNA相对表达量无明显改变(P>0.05).光镜下表现的滑膜炎、附着点炎、软骨变性、软骨下骨板破坏、骨髓炎的阳性率有所下降,而炎症细胞指数明显下降(z=-2.71,P<0.05).③治疗后骶髂关节放射学核素(ROI)的平均值(1.38±0.16)较治疗前(1.45±0.14)明显减少(P<0.05),MRI上的骨髓水肿、脂肪沉积等改变明显减轻(P<0.05).结论 骶髂关节腔注射rhTNFR:Fc,具有良好的疗效、安全性、耐受性及疗效经济学价值,特别有益于病变早期或局限于骶髂关节病变、不能耐受全身使用生物制剂的AS患者,临床推广应用前景.     

强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节内皮质激素注射疗效观察

目的了解强直性脊柱炎(AS)骶髂关节(SIJ)内皮质激素注射的疗效.方法患者取俯卧位,在CT导引下穿刺SIJ滑膜部,取组织标本后,在CT导引下原路进入SIJ,每侧注入丙酮缩去炎舒松15mg.记录分析病人术前、术后临床资料.结果28例中22例(78.6%)疼痛明显减轻,晨僵、夜间痛、SIJ压痛、"4”征、ESR升高及需使用NSAIDs的例数均较术前明显减少.所有SIJ标本均有炎症表现.结论SIJ关节内注射长效激素,可作为对NSAIDs不耐受或无效的AS和uSpA病人的一种有效的缓解腰背痛手段,同时uSpA病人SIJ病理标本的获得,有助于早期诊断.     

正常老年人骶髂关节CT影像特点

目的观察正常老年人骶髂关节的CT影像特点。方法 162例无骶髂关节相关病史或病变的老年人骶髂关节CT影像资料,按被研究者年龄分为3组进行观察和测量,观察关节间隙形态改变,测量关节间隙宽度。结果关节清晰度:关节间隙清晰155例(95.68%),关节间隙模糊7例(4.32%),无关节间隙消失。骶髂关节间隙形态:男性以直线型为主,女性以S型为主。骨质增生发生率高,部位以骶骨前上缘、后下缘、髂骨前上缘和后下缘多见。骶髂关节软骨下改变主要有囊性变、局限性骨质硬化和骨皮质连续性欠佳,骶髂关节腔出现真空征。正常老年人骶髂关节间隙随着年龄增加,在左、右两侧与男、女两性间比较无显著差异(P0.05)。结论正常老年人骶髂关节存在广泛的退行性改变,与生物力学改变密切相关。     

影像学检查在强直性脊柱炎诊断中的价值

强直性脊柱炎（ankylosing spondylitis,AS）是一种好发于青少年、病因不明且进展缓慢的慢性炎性疾病,AS患者可出现包括骶髂关节炎、周围关节炎、肠病性关节炎、肌腱韧带及关节囊附着点炎等多种症状,病变多从骶髂关节（sacroiliac joint,SIJ）开始,自下而上发展,沿脊柱进行性上升,逐渐形成脊柱关节炎,最终导致关节纤维性、骨性强直。     

Evaluation of acute and chronic MRI features of sacroiliitis in asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroid patients

Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized with autonomous overproduction of parathyroid hormone without signs or symptoms associated with hyperparathyroidism. Before symptoms become obvious, PHPT may affect structures like sacroiliac joints, which consist of bone. So, in the asymptomatic PHPT patients, structural and inflammatory changes in sacroiliac joints may lead to confusion during diagnosis workup of axial spondyloarthropathy. In this study, we evaluated active and chronic sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes relevant to sacroiliitis in the patients with asymptomatic PHPT and interpreted bone marrow edema within the scope of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society–Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (ASAS-OMERACT) criteria. Forty-nine patients with asymptomatic PHPT, 26 patients with newly diagnosed axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA), and 37 healthy controls were enrolled. All subjects were evaluated by sacroiliac MRI for four active (bone marrow edema, enthesitis, capsulitis, and synovitis) and four chronic (subchondral sclerosis, subchondral/periarticular erosions, periarticular fat deposition, and bony bridges/ankylosis) lesions relevant to sacroiliitis. Bone marrow edema compatible with ASAS-OMERACT active sacroiliitis criteria in sacroiliac MRI was fulfilled by 16.3 % (8/49) of the asymptomatic PHPT patients which was similar with controls but statistically lower than axial SpA. Moreover, asymptomatic PHPT patients and controls were similar for other chronic or active MRI findings. Also, we detected lower frequency of all other MRI findings, except enthesis, in asymptomatic PHPT patients according to axial SpA. Acute inflammatory including bone marrow edema fulfilling ASAS-OMERACT active sacroiliitis criteria and chronic structural sacroiliac lesions relevant to sacroiliitis in MRI were detected in asymptomatic PHPT similar frequency with controls but as expected, lower than axial SpA. But, these findings could not be attributed to excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone.     

结缔组织生长因子及I型和Ⅲ型胶原在脊柱关节病骶髂关节组织中的表达

目的 了解脊柱关节病(SpA)患者骶髂关节中结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)、I型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原的表达情况,探讨CTGF在spA关节软骨纤维化、骨化、关节强直中的作用.方法 30例spA患者(17例双侧影像学骶髂关节炎≥Ⅱ级,13例影像学骶髂关节炎Ⅰ级)均接受CT引导下骶髂关节穿刺活检术,取得骶髂关节组织.组织标本均行苏木素一伊红(HE)染色确认存在骶髂关节炎后,通过免疫组织化学染色方法,标记CTGF、Ⅰ型胶原及Ⅲ型胶原的表达情况.统计学方法采用单因素方差分析和t检验.结果 30例SpA患者骶髂关节组织中CTGF主要在血管翳炎症细胞及骨髓细胞的胞质中高度表达,阳性细胞数明显多于正常组织对照组[(57.9±42.4)腐倍视野和(2.7±2.5),高倍视野);Ⅰ型胶原及Ⅲ型胶原明显沉积于骨、部分软骨及韧带,平均吸光度均明显高于对照组(分别为0.298±0.080和0.044±0.024;28.254±41.165和0.105±0.054).结论 SpA骶髂关节中存在CTGF的高表达,Ⅰ型胶原及Ⅲ型胶原的沉积增多,提示CTGF参与了SpA骶髂关节局部胶原沉积、软骨纤维化变性过程,可能在SpA关节软骨纤维化、关节强直中起重要的作用.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF),coll agen I and collagen Ⅲ in sacroiliac joint(SIJ)of patients with spondyloarthropathy(SpA).Methods Thirty patients with SpA,including 17 patients with grade Ⅱ saeroiliitis and 13 patients with grade Ⅰ sacroiliitis,were performed on CT guided needie biopsy of SIJ.After sacroiliitis were confirmed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin in sacroiliac joint tissue sample,immunohistochemical assay was performed to determine the expression of CTGF,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in sacroiliac ioint tissue.Univariate Chi-square test was used for data comparison between multiple groups and t-test was used for two group data comparison.Results Contrast to healthy controls,CTGF were found upexpressed on the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells in pannus and bone marrow of sacroiliac tissue samples of patients with SpA,while collagen I and collagen Ⅲ were found up-expressed in bone,cartilage and ligament tissue[(57.9±42.4)/HP vs(2.7±2.5)/HP P<0.05,0.298±0.080 vs 0.044±0.024 and 28.254±41.165 vs 0.105±0.054.P<0.05 respectively].Conclusion CTGF,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ are up-expressed in SIJ of SpA patients.CTGF may play an important role in articular cartilage fibrosis and ossification of SpA.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of sacroiliac joint inflammation

A consecutive series of 27 patients with symptoms compatible with sacroiliitis underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joints. The diagnostic sensitivity of MRI was similar to that of computed tomography or conventional radiography. However, MRI seems to have the potential of providing unique information about the disease process in sacroiliitis by demonstrating abnormalities in subchondral bone and periarticular bone marrow. The results of this study suggest that early inflammatory changes in sacroiliitis occur in the subchondral structures of the sacroiliac joints.     

Histopathologic evidence that sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis is not merely enthesitis

OBJECTIVE: To systematically study the histopathology of sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at 5 different stages of the disease. METHODS: Two independent observers assessed 75 microscopic features in the sacroiliac (SI) joints in 12 cases of AS (5 biopsies, 7 autopsies) and in 22 control cases (all autopsies). RESULTS: In AS, synovitis, pannus formation, myxoid marrow, superficial cartilage destruction, enthesitis, intraarticular fibrous strands, new bone formation, and bony ankylosis were significantly more frequent than in control cases, in which there was more endochondral bone within deep-zone articular cartilage. Cartilaginous fusion occurred in both groups, but much earlier in AS. There was no residual synovium when the joint lumen was totally occluded. Mild but destructive synovitis and myxoid subchondral bone marrow were the earliest changes identified in AS. These lesions destroyed the adjacent articular tissues, a loss that was followed to varying degrees by fibrous scarring, woven bone, and new cartilage. The original cartilages also fused, and chondral fusion was the predominant mode of ankylosis. Both the original and the reparative cartilaginous tissues were replaced by bone. Active enthesitis occurred in 2 advanced and 3 late cases; fibrous scar tissue, presumed to represent previous enthesitis, was observed in all stages except the earliest. Paraarticular bone was at first dense, and later porotic. CONCLUSION: In the sacroiliitis of AS, two findings predominate: 1) synovitis and subchondral bone marrow changes offer a more rational explanation for widespread joint destruction than does enthesitis; and 2) an unusual form of chondroid metaplasia contributes to ankylosis.     

Imaging of the sacroiliac joint involvement in seronegative spondylarthropathies

Involvement of the sacroiliac joints is the first predominant finding of all seronegative spondylarthropathies (SpA) subsets, such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated SpA. Although conventional radiography is indicated in the initial evaluation of sacroiliac joints diseases, it is often insensitive for demonstrating the early changes of sacroiliitis, so other imaging techniques typically are often necessary to clarify the pathology and for establishing the early diagnosis of seronegative SpA. Other imaging modalities, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography (US), and bone scintigraphy have improved visualization of inflammatory changes at the sacroiliac joints (SIJ). CT scans are indicated for disease processes in which bony destruction or ossification may occur. MRI has been proposed as an imaging method to detect sacroiliitis earlier. MRI can identify both inflammation and structural changes caused by inflammation, while radiographs show only structural changes. MRI may be particularly useful in making a diagnosis of SpA. Musculoskeletal US has an increasing and relevant role in the evaluation of SpA mainly for its ability to assess joint and periarticular soft tissue involvement and in particular for its capacity to detect enthesitis. US assessment in general is safe, noninvasive, and comparably cheap, showing itself as a complimentary tool to clinical evaluation in SpA; nevertheless, it is very user dependent. Bone scintigraphy is at most of limited diagnostic value for the diagnosis of established AS, including the early diagnosis of probable/suspected sacroiliitis. The main aim of this study is to introduce the clinical and radiological aspects of the SIJ involvement in SpA, particularly the contribution of the different imaging techniques.     

Sacroiliac joints: osteoarthritis or arthritis

One of the most challenging aspects of treating the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is the complexity of diagnosis. Imaging methods have gained importance for the diagnosis of SIJ diseases. CT and MR exams had equal efficacy superior to radiography in staging structural changes in the SIJ due to osteoarthritis or sacroiliitis. The diagnosis of spondyloarthropaty can be delayed for several years using certain radiography studies. MR imaging reveal early cartilage changes and active inflammatory changes in the subchondral bone and surrounding ligaments in spondyloarthropaties, as well as subperiosteal and transcapsular yuxtaarticular infiltrations characteristic of septic sacroiliitis, which could not be found by either CT of radiography. T1-WI with fat suppression (FS) and STIR images improve the demonstration of erosions and inflammatory changes respectively, on MR studies. Additional T1-FS after i.v. contrast has proven valuable in demonstrating the extension of inflammatory changes and abscesses in septic sacroiliitis, and in spondyloartropaties may be useful although this is debatable. Scintigraphy gives high sensibility only in early inflammatory changes and low specificity for the diagnosis of sacroiliitis due to high bone turnover in the SIJ, although specific radioprobes are useful in confirming the septic etiology and evaluating additional foci. This complex joint of very limited mobility shows a lot of structural variations and some anatomical degenerative changes due to age, which are necessary to know to an adequate image interpretation and diagnosis of disease.     

Entheses and enthesitis: a histopathologic review and relevance to spondyloarthritides

There are two types of entheses: fibrous, by Sharpey's fibers in membranous bone, and fibrocartilaginous, on endochondral bone, with discontinuous cement lines at the interface between insertion and bone. The connection of hyaline cartilage to subchondral bone is a kind of fibrocartilaginous enthesis. Fibrocartilages are structurally, chemically, and biomechanically intermediate between tendon and cartilage. Enthesitis is not the sole pathologic feature of spondyloarthritides. Synovitis and subchondral bone marrow changes outside the ligamentous insertions, and cartilage proliferation, are important too. In the subentheseal bone marrow and in the synovium, CD8+ T cells play a central role. Imaging of early changes is better achieved by ultrasonography and even better by magnetic resonance imaging than by radiography. No single immunologic target can be identified. The G1 domain of aggrecan is the best candidate, but this does not apply to fibrous entheses. In these complex pathologic conditions, no single abnormality can thus far be designated as a unique hallmark.