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Ankylosing spondylitis

Case contributed by Dai Roberts
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Back pain, morning stiffness

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Squaring of the vertebral bodies.  SI joint fusion. 

Case Discussion

The findings of ankylosing spondylitis on radiographs vary, and will depend largely according to the chronicity of features.  Squaring of the vertebral bodies will predate the ossification of the longitudinal ligaments.  Shown is a patient will known ankylosing spondylitis.  Other features which can be evident are shiny corners and calcified enthesophytes.

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