OBJECTIVE. Spondyloarthropathies are rheumatoid diseases that predominantly affect the axial skeleton, causing pain, stiffness, and ankylosis. The aims of this article are to illustrate the different stages of the diseases from early inflammatory involvement to ankyosis using CT and MRI and to discuss the role of imaging in the management of affected patients.
CONCLUSION. CT and MRI are the most sensitive techniques in the detection of axial involvement, permitting earlier diagnosis and optimized treatment.