1/19. Coexistent Marfan's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis: a case report.We report on a 46-year-old man with a 4-year history of predominantly nocturnal pain at the thoracic and lumbar spine as well as accompanying morning stiffness and episodes of alternating buttock pain. At physical examination the patient presented with the typical traits for Marfan's syndrome (MFS), along with limitation of both chest expansion and movement in all planes of the lumbar spine. Pelvic and lumbar spine radiographs showed findings consistent with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Laboratory tests were consistent with an inflammatory state and HLA typing was positive for the B27 antigen. Transthoracic echocardiography showed prolapse of the posterior mitral leaflet and mild aortic insufficiency. We diagnosed co-existent MFS and AS. The association of these two pathologies is particularly interesting, owing to the co-existence of hypermobility of peripheral joints due to MFS ligamentous hyperlaxity, and the reduction of both axial skeleton motility and chest expansion related to AS. As both of these diseases may damage the cardiovascular system over time, follow-up with echocardiography monitoring is indispensable.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/19. myositis ossificans progressiva mimicking ankylosing spondylitis: a case report.myositis ossificans progressiva is a rare disorder of young adults characterized by ossification of the connective tissue of the voluntary muscles and ligaments. Although it is trauma-related, up to 40-60% of these patients have no history of previous injury. A young female with marked kyphosis and ankylosis of the spine presented with a recent onset of a rapidly growing painful mass over the anterior aspect of her left shoulder. She received an excisional biopsy but recurrent ossification developed soon after. It then spread to the biceps muscle with subsequent contracture deformities of the shoulder and elbow joints. A plain radiogram of her spine revealed similar characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis. However, the final diagnosis was made by the pathognomonic ectopic ossification of muscles and para-articular soft tissue. Despite poor response of the established constracture, the painful mass did respond well to prednisolone treatment within 2 months, in terms of size and consistency.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/19. An unusual cause of difficult intubation in a patient with a large cervical anterior osteophyte: a case report.This report describes a case in which a large anterior osteophyte on the C2 and C3 vertebrae, due to ankylosing spondylitis, resulted in distortion of the anatomy of the upper airway and difficult intubation. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive inflammatory disease, characterized by stiffening of the joints and ligaments. Stiffness of the cervical spine, atlanto-occipital, temporomandibular and cricoarytenoid joints may cause difficult intubation (1). This report describes a case in which a large anterior osteophyte on the C2 and C3 vertebrae, associated with AS, resulted in distortion of the anatomy of the upper airway and difficult intubation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/19. Thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm after spine trauma in ankylosing spondylitis. Case report.Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic disease characterized by consolidation of the articulating surfaces and inflammation of the vertebral column. Because of its associated spine stiffness and secondary osteoporosis, patients with this disorder are at increased risk of vertebral fractures. Ankylosing spondylitis presents a significant challenge to spine surgeons because of its complex effects on the spine, extraarticular organ manifestations, and potential neurological and functional sequelae. Traumatic thoracic and lumbar spine injuries in this patient population may be associated with injury to the aorta either due to direct mechanical trauma or to blunt forces associated with the spine fracture. This complication and association is thought to be the result of pathophysiological changes that cause the aorta to become firmly adherent to the anterior longitudinal ligament. The authors present a case of AS in a patient with a thoracic spine fracture and in whom a delayed thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm ruptured. To the best of the authors' knowledge, only five cases of this complex condition have been reported since 1980. Recognition of the potential for aortic injury in patients with AS should prompt early investigation of the aorta in cases involving numerous fractures and assist in surgical planning to avoid this lethal injury.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/19. Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine and SAPHO syndrome.We describe a case of cervical cord compression due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLLS) in a 43-year-old Vietnamese patient with SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis). Idiopathic OPLLS is mainly reported in 50- to 60-year-old men, particularly in Japanese, with a prevalence of 2%. Cervical myelopathy may occur. In addition to OPLLS in patients of Asian origin, the condition has also been described in association with ossifying diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) but not previously, to our knowledge, with SAPHO syndrome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/19. Coexistence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and ankylosing spondylitis.To the best of our knowledge, only two patients with concurrent diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been reported so far. Here we present 3 patients in whom clinical and radiological findings indicative of DISH and AS coexisted. Two of these cases exhibited HLA B27. Although the presence of sacroiliitis would appear to exclude DISH, calcification and ossification of the anterior common vertebral ligament (ACVL) confirmed diagnosis of the latter disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/19. spinal fractures complicating ankylosing spondylitis.Individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are at increased risk for developing fractures of the spine, especially in the cervical region. This tendency is related to the ossification of spinal ligaments and osteopenic changes in the spinal vertebrae. We reviewed our clinical experience of SCI occurring due to AS, and the literature regarding the natural history of these fractures. A significant number of individuals are not aware of their increased risk for spinal fracture and sustain spinal fractures without realizing it. Difficulties in diagnosis and inappropriate management of spinal fractures in these individuals have often resulted in severe neurologic sequelae and a mortality rate approximately twice that observed with similar fractures in a normal spine. The need for better patient education emphasizing the significance of even minor trauma, and a thorough evaluation of AS patients with a history of trauma is stressed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/19. Sudden quadriplegia complicating ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.The association of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) has been recently described. It may result in devastating compressive myelopathy. We report a case of quadriplegia complicating OPLL in a patient with DISH. In addition, we present a brief review of the literature on OPLL. This report illustrates the importance of appropriate neurologic and radiologic evaluation of persons with DISH, to help prevent severe neurologic complications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/19. Thoracolumbar fractures in ankylosing spondylitis. High-risk injuries.Ankylosing spondylitis may affect the spine segmentally or diffusely. Because all the ligaments become ossified in the involved areas, fractures that occur through this involved segment traverse both bone and ligaments, producing an extremely unstable situation similar to a shearing type of fracture. With a pre-existing severe kyphosis, it may be dangerous to turn the patient to a supine position, because this opens up the fracture and can cause neurologic complications. The radiologic assessment of the spine in ankylosing spondylitis is difficult because the bone is frequently osteoporotic and the disc spaces are poorly outlined. Minor displacements should be looked for, as well as discontinuity of ossified ligaments (especially the interspinous ligaments). Of the seven patients reported in this series, six had fractures undiagnosed at the time of the preliminary examination. Therefore, patients known to have ankylosing spondylitis should be counseled regarding the possibility of a fracture, and if pain persists after an injury, they should be thoroughly investigated radiologically to rule out a potentially serious problem. Reduction of the displacement and stabilization is best achieved with a Luque rectangular rod system, and laminectomy is not indicated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/19. Aortic injury occurring after minor trauma in ankylosing spondylitis.Lethal aortic injury as a result of fracture of the lumbar spine in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis is reported. This complication is a direct result of the pathophysiologic changes of ankylosing spondylitis that cause the aorta to become firmly adherent to the anterior longitudinal ligament. Recognition of the potential for this injury in patients with ankylosing spondylitis should prompt early investigation of the integrity of the aorta and planned reconstructive surgery for this potentially lethal injury.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ligament (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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