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Fractures of the ankylosed spine: MDCT and MRI with emphasis on individual anatomic spinal structures

Raphaël Campagna1, Eric Pessis, Antoine Feydy

  • 1Service de Radiologie B, Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75679 Paris Cedex 14, France. rcampagna@free.fr

AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|March 24, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Spinal fractures in ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis often affect all three spinal columns. Imaging with MDCT and MRI is key to identifying osseous and ligamentous injuries.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Orthopedics
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) predispose patients to spinal fractures.
  • These fractures can be complex and challenging to diagnose.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the imaging findings of spinal fractures in AS and DISH.
  • To highlight the utility of MDCT and MRI in evaluating these injuries.

Main Methods:

  • Review of MDCT and MRI scans in patients with AS and DISH.
  • Analysis of fracture patterns, including involvement of spinal columns and osteoligamentous structures.

Main Results:

  • Fractures typically involve all three spinal columns.
  • Posterior osteoligamentous injury is a common and critical feature.
  • MDCT and MRI effectively visualize osseous and ligamentous damage.

Conclusions:

  • Spinal fractures in AS and DISH are often unstable due to multi-column involvement.
  • Posterior osteoligamentous injury is a diagnostic hallmark.
  • MDCT with multiplanar reformation and MRI are essential for accurate assessment.

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