title: Surgical treatment of extensive discovertebral destruction in ankylosing spondylitis: a report of two cases.
abstract: Extensive discovertebral destruction in ankylosing spondylitis is rare and difficult in diagnosis and management. We present two such cases who were treated with anterior decompression, autogenous strut iliac bone graft and fixed with anterior locking plate system (ALPS) instrumentation. After operation the patients' symptoms improved and the spinal deformities were corrected. Our experiences in these two patients emphasize the importance of early recognition, early detection and aggressive surgical treatment in the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*