Radiological changes of the symphysis in ankylosing spondylitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the symphyseal changes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.


METHODS
Radiological-morphological changes of the symphysis were studied in 68 patients (66 men, 2 women) with ankylosing spondylitis whose age ranged from 21 to 75 years. The duration of the disease was from 2 to 50 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the symphysis were found in 16 patients (23.5%) and were less prominent than findings in the sacroiliac joints. We classified these changes into four stages: minimal changes, apparent destruction, reparation and ankylosis. The third and the fourth stages of the changes in the symphsis were found more frequently in patients who suffered from the disease for more than 15 years. Radiological evaluation of symphyseal changes can be helpful in the evaluation of disease progression as well as in establishing a differential diagnosis.
Department of Rheumatology and Physical Medicine, University Hospital, Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Z
Z
Jajić
I
I
Jajić
S
S
Grazio
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*