Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
10:49
Intraspinal Cell Transplantation for Targeting Cervical Ventral Horn in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: September 18, 2011
Ankylosing spondylitis and spinal cord injury
Pedro Machado1, Jan Gawronski, Angela Gall
1Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, London, United Kingdom. pedrommcmachado@gmail.com
Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa
|July 8, 2008
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis patients face a higher risk of vertebral fractures and spinal cord injury. Early diagnosis and prevention strategies are crucial for managing this serious complication.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine.
- Patients with AS have an increased susceptibility to vertebral fractures and spinal cord injury.
- These fractures can occur after minimal trauma due to compromised bone integrity.
Observation:
- A case of a 72-year-old male with a history of AS who experienced a vertebral fracture following minor trauma.
- Initial conventional radiographs failed to detect the fracture.
- New neurological symptoms prompted further investigation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), leading to the diagnosis.
Findings:
- Vertebral fractures in AS patients can be subtle and easily missed on standard imaging.
- Delayed diagnosis of vertebral fractures can lead to significant neurological deficits.
- AS significantly elevates the risk of spinal trauma and associated complications.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of high clinical suspicion for vertebral fractures in AS patients, even with minor trauma.
- Emphasizes the role of advanced imaging like MRI in diagnosing occult fractures.
- Underscores the need for proactive prevention strategies to mitigate the risk of vertebral fractures and spinal cord injury in AS management.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
01:29Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...