eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Musculoskeletal

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Follow-up

Author: Wilfred CG Peh, MD, MBBS, FRCP(Glasg), FRCP(Edin), FRCR, Clinical Professor, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore; Senior Consultant Radiologist, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 25, 2009

Intervention

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to detect complications in patients with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis is a pitfall. Complications include fracture and pseudoarthrosis. Fractures typically occur in patients with minimal trauma. Pseudoarthrosis is suggested in patients presenting with increasing back pain after a long quiescent period. A high index of clinical suspicion and the application of appropriate imaging is required for accurate diagnosis.
 


More on Ankylosing Spondylitis

Overview: Ankylosing Spondylitis
Imaging: Ankylosing Spondylitis
Follow-up: Ankylosing Spondylitis
Multimedia: Ankylosing Spondylitis
References
Further Reading
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References

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Keywords

ankylosing spondylitis, spondylitis, spondyloarthritis, spondyloarthropathy, rheumatoid spondylitis, bony ankylosis, vertebral inflammation, seronegative arthritis, sacroiliac, facet joint, paravertebral soft tissue, peripheral arthritis, iritis

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Wilfred CG Peh, MD, MBBS, FRCP(Glasg), FRCP(Edin), FRCR, Clinical Professor, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore; Senior Consultant Radiologist, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore
Wilfred CG Peh, MD, MBBS, FRCP(Glasg), FRCP(Edin), FRCR is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society, British Institute of Radiology, International Skeletal Society, Radiological Society of North America, Royal College of Physicians, and Royal College of Radiologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Michael A Bruno, MD, Associate Professor, Departments of Radiology and Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Director, Radiology Quality Management Services, Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Michael A Bruno, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America, Society of Nuclear Medicine, and Society of Skeletal Radiology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Bernard D Coombs, MB, ChB, PhD, Consulting Staff, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Hutt Valley District Health Board, New Zealand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Wilfred CG Peh, MD, MBBS, FRCP(Glasg), FRCP(Edin), FRCR, Clinical Professor, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore; Senior Consultant Radiologist, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore
Wilfred CG Peh, MD, MBBS, FRCP(Glasg), FRCP(Edin), FRCR is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society, British Institute of Radiology, International Skeletal Society, Radiological Society of North America, Royal College of Physicians, and Royal College of Radiologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Robert M Krasny, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Resolution Imaging Medical Corporation
Robert M Krasny, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Felix S Chew, MD, MBA, EdM, Professor, Department of Radiology, Vice Chairman for Radiology Informatics, Section Head of Musculoskeletal Radiology, University of Washington
Felix S Chew, MD, MBA, EdM is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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