[Computed tomography in the diagnosis of the spondylarthritic syndrome].

45 patients, mean age 22.7 +/- 6.3 years, with spondylarthritic syndrome of mean duration of 3.0 +/- 3.4 years, were examined by computed tomography and ordinary roentgenography of the sacroiliac joints. The roentgenograms of 4 patients fulfilled the Rome diagnostic criteria for ankylosing spondylarthritis against 9 patients examined by computed tomography. The data for a probable form were 9 and 10 respectively. Sacroiliitis [correction of Sacroileitis] not fulfilling these criteria for spondylarthritis was found in 13 patients by ordinary roentgenography and in 12 patients by computed tomography. Concerning the sacroiliac joints the computed tomography seems a more sensitive method than the ordinary roentgenography. The computed tomography discovers a greater number of changes and gives a better image.