SPINAL PSEUDARTHROSIS COMPLICATING ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS - A REPORT OF 2 PATIENTS

Two middle-aged men with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis presente d with recurrence of back symptoms after minor traumas. Clinical and r adiographic findings were suggestive of spinal pseudoarthrosis at the L2/L3 and T11/T12 level, respectively, but the possibility of infectio us spondylitis remained a concern. On granulocyte scintigraphy, the af fected regions were distinguished by showing decreased activity. Magne tic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated the extent of the lesions a nd; in one of the patients, revealed spinal canal compression, which n ecessitated surgical treatment. The other patient gradually improved o n conservative therapy.