Ankylosing spondylitis

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Admitted with sepsis.

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Obscuration of the left hemidiaphragm silhouette. Unremarkable cardiomediastinal contour. "Bamboo spine" consistent with ankylosing spondylitis.

The patient's source of sepsis was diagnosed as an obstructive pyelonephritis. 

Fluoroscopy

Preliminary shot from a nephrostogram demonstrates changes of ankylosing spondylitis with bamboo spine, dagger sign and sacroiliac joint ankylosis. 

Case Discussion

Ankylosing spondylitis can often be an incidental finding, especially in older men. 

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