title: Evaluation of paravertebral muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration in ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess morphological changes in the paravertebral muscles in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and a 50 member control group were included in the study. The surface area of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles was measured at four levels between L1 and L5, and fatty degeneration in these muscles was scored. Lumbosacral and lumbar lordotic angles were determined for the patient and control groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Loss of muscle cross-sectional area compatible with atrophy was present at all four levels in the paraspinal muscles in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. A negative correlation was observed between paravertebral muscle area and duration of disease at three levels, but not at L1-2. Although muscle area decreased with the duration of disease at the L1-2 level, this was not statistically significant (r= -0.195, p = 0.171). Comparison of intramuscular fatty degeneration between the groups revealed increased intramuscular fat at all levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, with the exception of L3-4, and a positive correlation between fatty degeneration and duration of disease was determined at all levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic inflammation, cytokine-mediated fibrosis, immobilization, and postural changes in ankylosing spondylitis contribute to fatty degeneration and atrophy in the paravertebral muscles.
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Medicine , Canakkale , Turkey and.
authors: Hatice
authors: H
authors: Resorlu
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Medicine , Canakkale , Turkey and.
authors: Yılmaz
authors: Y
authors: Savas
authors: b Department of Radiology , Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Medicine , Canakkale , Turkey.
authors: Nilufer
authors: N
authors: Aylanc
authors: a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Medicine , Canakkale , Turkey and.
authors: Ferhat
authors: F
authors: Gokmen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Fatty degeneration; Paravertebral muscle