Evaluation of sacroiliac joint MRI for pelvic venous congestion signs in women clinically suspected of sacroiliitis.

BackgroundPelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a commonly overlooked condition which is a potential cause of chronic pelvic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) may demonstrate unexpected conditions that can mimic sacroiliitis (SI). Awareness of MRI-defined pelvic venous congestion (PVC) may help in identifying PCS, where vascular abnormality may be the sole manifestation of SIJ pain.PurposeTo detect incidental MRI-defined PVC in patients who underwent SIJ-MRI for presumed SI and define the variance of its incidence.Material and MethodsA total of 870 women who underwent SIJ-MRI were retrospectively evaluated. Incidental findings of PVC and other genitourinary and musculoskeletal system disorders were documented.ResultsOf the 774 included patients, 37% demonstrated incidentally detected imaging findings related to the genitourinary system, musculoskeletal system, and PVC. The prevalence of MRI-defined PVC signs was higher in patients without SI than with SI. The prevalence of...