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Ankylosing spondylitis - Andersson lesion

Case contributed by Renan Ibrahem Adam
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Increasing low back pain.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

There is central abnormal discovertebral signal affecting both vertebral halves of L1/L2 and L3/L4 with an almost hemispherical shape. At L4/L5 only the L4 side is affected. The endplate lesions appear hyperintense on STIR images and hypointense on T1-weighted images. 

Case Discussion

The appearances are in keeping with Andersson lesions and active disease in a patient with known ankylosing spondylitis. 

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