Ankylosing spondylitis (thoracic manifestations)

Thoracic manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis can be varied. For a general discussion of the condition refer to the parent article on ankylosing spondylitis.

It can affect the tracheobronchial tree and the lung parenchyma, and the disease spectrum includes:

• upper lobe fibrocystic changes - fibrobullous disease

  • early involvement may be unilateral or asymmetrical

  • most cases eventually consist of bilateral apical fibrobullous lesions

  • most can be progressive with coalescence of the nodules

  • formation of cysts and cavities, fibrosis, and bronchiectasis can occur

• lung nodules (uncommon)

• pleural thickening (uncommon)

• effects of chest wall restriction

See also

• pulmonary fibrosis

• upper lobe pulmonary fibrosis

• conditions with upper lobe predominance (mnemonic)