Ankylosing spondylitis complicated by trauma: MR findings correlated with plain radiographs and CT.
Four patients with ankylosing spondylitis sustained a traumatic spinal injury. In three cases, pseudoarthrosis developed at the discovertebral junction, while involvement of the neural arch occurred in the fourth. Although the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis was readily established on plain radiographs, magnetic resonance more effectively identified the complicating injury and in two cases demonstrated the presence of cord compression. Computed tomography was also contributory in delineating bony and ligamentous abnormalities of the neural arch.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212-4772.
A L
AL
Goldberg
N L
NL
Keaton
W E
WE
Rothfus
R H
RH
Daffner
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed