Dagger sign (spine)

Last revised by Joachim Feger on 16 Aug 2024

The dagger sign is a radiographic feature seen in ankylosing spondylitis as a single central radiodense line on frontal radiographs running along the spinous processes 1.

Related pathology

The dagger sign is related to the ossification of the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments secondary to enthesitis 2. The radiodense line can extend into the sacrum 3. It is a late sign of ankylosing spondylitis and often appears alongside other classic signs, including bamboo spine.

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