title: Spinal lesions due to hyperextension in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: The authors review the literature and discuss the biomechanical aspects of extension fractures of the spine in ankylosing spondylitis and report 3 cases. They conclude that, although such lesions are rare, patients with ankylosing spondylitis who sustain such trauma must be subjected to thorough radiological examination. The milder lesions have a favourable prognosis, but those involving dislocation are extremely dangerous, both because of the frequent appearance of immediate or delayed medullary complications and because of the high incidence of pseudarthrosis.
mesh_terms: D000061:Accidents, Home; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications*