title: MRI of inflammatory spondyloarthropathy following traumatic cauda equina syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spondyloarthropathy has been described radiographically in patients following paralysis from spinal cord trauma. Onset of these findings after cauda equina syndrome have not been reported previously. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance documentation of its early evolution has not been recorded.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We report a case of early-onset spondyloarthropathy shown by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a patient with cauda equina syndrome due to bilateral sacral insufficiency fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unique case study review, one case.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the clinical case notes and imaging including initial and subsequent MR imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial MRI of the lumbosacral spine showed bilateral sacral insufficiency fractures with a kyphotic deformity. The vertebral bodies were normal on the initial computed tomography and MRI studies, which did not reveal pre-existing features of sacroiliitis. The second MRI performed 5 months later clearly showed spondylitis at multiple vertebral levels with partial resolution 18 months post injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spondyloarthropathy in patients with paralysis due to spinal cord injury is well documented in the English language literature, but until now this has not been demonstrated by MRI. It is a rare complication of traumatic cauda equina syndrome that commences soon after the traumatic event and can resolve spontaneously.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, U K.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ginder
authors.affiliation: Salford Royal NHS foundation trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, U K.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Subedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, U K.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, U K.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lalam
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, U K.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tins
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, U K.
authors.forename: P N M
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.affiliation: Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, U K.
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Cassar-Pullicino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000150:complications*; D011859:Radiography; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed