Inflammatory sacroiliitis in a man with spinal cord injury.
BACKGROUND
Inflammatory sacroiliitis associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) as an unusual cause of elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level has not been reported previously to our knowledge.


OBJECTIVE
To represent a case of SCI associated with bilateral sacroiliitis causing ESR and CRP level elevation.


METHODS
Case report of a man with T9 paraplegia.


RESULTS
ESR and CRP levels were high. Pelvic radiography was nearly normal, except for mildly blurred sacroiliac joints with normal margins. A 3-phase bone scan revealed bilateral sacroiliitis and heterotopic ossification at medial side of the left knee. Past history was significant for a recent urinary tract infection. Indomethacin and etidronate were prescribed. Significant decreases in ESR and CRP level were seen 1 month later.


CONCLUSIONS
Sacroiliitis might be an unusual cause of elevated ESR and CRP levels in patients with SCI. Sensory and motor deficits may obscure the typical clinical presentation; therefore, imaging studies are essential for the diagnosis.
Duman
Iltekin
I
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06018, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. iltekinduman@yahoo.com
Taskaynatan
Mehmet A
MA
Ozgul
Ahmet
A
Dincer
Kemal
K
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism
D002097:C-Reactive Protein
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