DIFFUSE INTERSTITIAL LUNG-DISEASE AS AN EARLY MANIFESTATION OF ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS

A rare case of ankylosing spondylitis with interstitial pulmonary dise ase of the upper lung field, at an early stage in the disease, is desc ribed. The patient, a 35-year-old asymptomatic woman, was admitted to the hospital due to an abnormal chest radiograph that was found during preoperative evaluation for a toxic adenoma of the thyroid gland. Her mother and sister were also found to suffer from ankylosing spondylit is but without lung involvement. History, physical and laboratory exam ination as well as open lung biopsy excluded other causes of an inters titial pulmonary disease. The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis was based on clinical, radiographic, positive human leukocyte antigen (HLA -B27) and histologic findings.