Spondyloarthropathy of the cervical spine in long-term hemodialysis

Changes stimulating osteomyelitis have recently been described in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. These consist of disk-space narrowing and irregularity of adjacent end plates. However, the characteristic prevertebral mass and clinical evidence of infection are often absent. In the appropriate clinical situation, although plain radiography and computed tomography have been helpful, magnetic resonance imaging may be more definitive in excluding infection and may obviate biopsy. The authors' imaging experience with five patients with this entity forms the basis of this report.